Subject: Request to Review and Scrap the Length-Based Vehicle Taxation Regulation (Sub-4 Meter Rule)

To: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Ministry of Finance, Government of India

Dear Sir/Madam,

We, the undersigned citizens and automobile consumers of India, respectfully urge the Government of India to urgently review and repeal the sub-4 meter vehicle length-based taxation regulation currently in force.

While the policy was initially designed to encourage smaller, affordable, and fuel-efficient vehicles suited to Indian road conditions, it has increasingly become a constraint that limits consumer choice, disrupts vehicle design innovation, and potentially harms India’s competitiveness in the global automotive market.

Key concerns with the sub-4 meter tax rule include:

It unfairly penalizes vehicles larger than 4 meters with significantly higher taxes, driving automakers to compromise on design, space, and safety to meet the arbitrary length cutoff.
The length-based taxation prioritizes vehicle size over more relevant parameters such as emissions, fuel efficiency, safety features, and environmental impact.
It restricts the availability of diverse vehicle options, forcing many buyers towards smaller cars or SUVs designed primarily to meet tax benefits rather than consumer needs.
The policy does not adequately reflect evolving consumer preferences or infrastructure improvements and is increasingly outdated in the context of modern vehicle requirements.
The focus on vehicle length rather than emission norms or safety standards undermines sustainable and safe transportation goals.

We propose that:

The Government of India should phase out the sub-4 meter length criterion as a direct determinant of vehicle taxation.
Future taxation policies should be based on comprehensive criteria, including emissions, fuel efficiency, vehicle safety standards, and overall environmental impact.
Policymakers should encourage innovation and consumer choice by removing arbitrary physical restrictions on vehicle design.
Support measures remain in place to promote affordable, fuel-efficient, and environmentally friendly transportation.
As citizens who care about affordable, safe, and environmentally sustainable mobility, we believe the repeal of the sub-4 meter tax rule will contribute significantly to a more balanced and consumer-friendly automotive market in India.

We request your immediate attention and action to amend this regulation for the welfare of all Indian motorists and the automotive industry.

Thank you for considering this petition.

Sincerely,
Sumit Pujari,
Pune, Maharashtra