Under Bharat NCAP, manufacturers can voluntarily offer their cars tested as per Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197.
The much awaited, Bharat NCAP, India’s own vehicle crash test rating assessment program, will be launched tomorrow, August 22, 2023. This development was announced by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways, India. The announcement further said that the upcoming Bharat NCAP crash test assessment program will help improve road safety through raising the safety standards of motor vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes in India.
- BNCAP to have a unified crash test rating
- Will also test CNG and electric vehicles
- Likely to come into effect from October 1, 2023
Bharat NCAP: crash test rating to remain voluntary
Under the BNCAP crash test assessment programme, manufacturers can voluntarily offer their cars tested as per Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197. Based on the performance of the vehicle in the tests, the model will be awarded star ratings for Adult Occupants (AOP) and Child Occupant (COP). Bharat NCAP will allow Indian manufacturers to get their vehicles tested at the country’s in-house testing facilities and also increase the export-worthiness of Indian automobiles. Additionally, the testing agency will also have the liberty to pick up vehicles from the showrooms as well.
Bharat NCAP: testing protocol on par with global standards
The government has aligned Bharat NCAP’s testing protocol with global crash-test protocols, this means, the BNCAP will feature feature star ratings ranging from 1 to 5 stars on their website. Also, unlike other NCAP formats, which award separate star ratings for adult and child protection, Bharat NCAP is likely to get a single unified rating for adult and child protection.
The parameters finalised include various factors, like an assessment of the car’s pedestrian-friendly design, the structural safety of the car, the provision of active and passive safety assist technologies, and the safety of adult and child occupants on the vehicle, which will be used to determine the rating.
Bharat NCAP: What types of vehicles qualify for crash tests?
Vehicles with type approval for carrying passengers up to eight seats in addition to driver’s seats with a gross vehicle weight of lower than 3.5 tonnes, manufactured or imported in the country will be enforced to undergo BNCAP crash tests
Bharat NCAP: CNG, electric cars to be tested as well
Apart from combustion-engined vehicles sold in India, BNCAP will will also test and rate CNG –powered and electric vehicles based on their crash performance.
Bharat NCAP: Local auto brands to benefit
The new policy will also benefit local automakers since they will no longer have to ship their samples abroad for testing and star grading, which is an expensive process.