The Ministry, during the launch event held in the capital, said that the programme will be voluntary and the cars will be tested as per the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197.
OEMs are expected to offer their car models for the safety assessments under the program, which is expected to result in a healthy competition among the manufacturers to offer safer cars.
As per Gadkari, over 30 car models encompassing several carmakers have already been aligned for testing under the Bharat NCAP.
What is Bharat NCAP and how will it make Indian cars safer?
As part of the Bharat NCAP, vehicles under 3.5 tonnes will be subjected to safety tests (not mandatory), including Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and Child Occupant Protection (COP).
Bharat NCAP will assign star ratings to cars based on their performance in crash tests. The star ratings will range from one to five, with five being the highest.
Mahindra Scorpio-N based Global Pik Up Concept Walkaround | TOI Auto
Among the tests to be performed, the cars will be tested for Frontal Impact Test (Offset Deformable Barrier), Side Impact Test, and Pole Side Impact Test. In addition to the safety features that will be tested under the programme, automakers are also expected to offer other safety features such as airbags, ABS, and ESC more widely on their cars.
Apart from enhancing the safety standards of Indian cars, the Bharat NCAP will ensure that the country becomes a more export-oriented market, with an aim to match the global safety standards in future.
Additionally, the costumers, who are steadily becoming more quality-centric, will have a criteria to narrow down their choices on the basis of safety.
What does the automotive industry have to say on the Bharat NCAP?
“We welcome the BNCAP safety initiative by Govt. of India and believe this effort will raise safety standards, empower consumers with vital information, and make Indian roads safer for all. At Hyundai Motor India, we remain committed to delivering the highest safety standards across our entire product range.” said Unsoo Kim, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India Limited.
“Any car that is launched in India follows the mandatory safety standards set by the government. For consumers seeking extra safety information the Bharat NCAP system is an authentic and objective rating system to empower the customer to make an informed choice.”, said Rahul Bharti, Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki.
Maruti Suzuki welcomes this initiative of the Government and will offer atleast 3 models for BNCAP testing in the first lot itself.
Venkatram Mamillapalle, Country CEO & Managing Director, Renault India Operations added “This initiative arrives at a crucial juncture for India, as the need to curtail fatalities on our roads has never been more pressing. With road safety taking precedence, the Bharat NCAP is a pivotal tool to assess and enhance the safety standards of vehicles on our roads. Renault India wholeheartedly supports this initiative and looks forward to contributing our expertise towards reducing accidents and ensuring safer journeys for all.”