BHARAT NCAP Launched Over 30 Cars Offered for Testing

Bharat NCAP aims to raise the level of awareness:

Bharat NCAP has been launched by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways. To come into effect on October 1, 2023, this program marks a significant development being taken by the Government of India in improving road safety in the country. This makes India the fifth country in the world to adopt a car crash safety program after the ASEAN NCAP, Latin NCAP, Euro NCAP, and ANCAP. The US, China, Japan, and South Korea have their own individual crash test programs.

Bharat NCAP Primary Objectives:

• BNCAP will also test and rate CNG and electric vehicles based on crash performance.
• Bharat New Car Assessment Program will not only help buyers make the right choice but will also urge auto makers to produce safer cars.
• All motor vehicles currently being manufactured and sold in the country as well as imported into India up to a gross vehicle weight of 3.5 tons will have to comply with these new Bharat NCAP norms.
• BNCAP will allow buyers to make an assessment of the crash safety standards of these vehicles, while auto makers can voluntarily offer their cars tested as per Automotive Industry Standards 197.
• These cars will be awarded star ratings as per the crash test.
• These star ratings allow buyers to compare the safety features of each vehicle, thus allowing them to make erudite decisions on their final purchase.

While doing crash tests in local carmakers won’t have to bear the expensive amount while sending their products to global players. Mr. Gadkari at the time of the Bharat NCAP presentation revealed that the cost of testing a car internationally is RS 2.5 crore, which can go down to Rs 60 Lakhs to carmakers for the Bharat NCAP. Same time, Bharat NCAP will help Indians make more informed decisions by purchasing the cars on sale as per the crash test ratings will specifically for the Indian Specs.

How will be tests conducted:

Global NCAP and other fore mentioned authorities performing various crash tests of cars as Frontal offset, side Impact, and side pole impact tests were followed by the Bharat NCAP. The frontal offset test will be conducted at 64 Kmph, also the side impact and side pole test will do at speeds of 50 Kmph and 29 Kmph. Many details of the test performance standards that have been outlined in the AIS -197 will also dictate the final score of a car received from Bharat NCAP.

All cars tested will be rated for both adult occupant protection (AOP) and child occupant protection (COP) rating will be mentioned given table below.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways can also recommend any model falling under the Bharat NCAP’s protocols based on the car’s market feedback and analysis. Further, the Government of India if so desired can also request the authority to select the particular variant for assessment in the interests of public safety.