India is set to mark a pivotal moment in road safety as it prepares to launch its own vehicle safety testing program. Scheduled for August 22, the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP) will be formally inaugurated by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari. This significant initiative underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to enhancing road safety by elevating the safety standards of motor vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes in India. While the ministry had previously indicated a planned implementation date of October 1, 2023, the definitive rollout date is anticipated to be officially confirmed on August 22.
BNCAP Car Safety Rating
Within the framework of BNCAP, passenger vehicle manufacturers in India will be afforded the opportunity to voluntarily subject their cars to testing. Following evaluation, each car will receive a star rating determined by its performance in terms of protecting adult and child occupants. This initiative, as outlined by the government, aims to empower car buyers to make informed comparisons regarding the crash safety attributes of the various motor vehicles accessible in the market.
BNCAP is built upon the revised crash test protocol of Global NCAP, with additional inspiration drawn from the Euro NCAP protocol for specific tests. As outlined by the Bharat NCAP stipulations, starting from 2024, for a car to qualify for a test rating of three stars or above, it must come equipped with electronic stability control (ESC) as a standard feature.
Cars that offer ESC solely as an optional feature will not be eligible for a test rating exceeding two stars according to the BNCAP protocol. This requirement has led manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai to proactively make ESC a standard inclusion across their respective vehicle portfolios.
