The Government of India released the finalised draft for AIS-197 Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP) in June 2022 and finally launched the programme on Tuesday for the Indian automotive industry. Accordingly, all vehicle models have to be evaluated under three areas of assessment, namely, Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), Child Occupant Protection (COP), and Safety Assist Technologies (SAT), after which they receive star ratings.
This Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) is applicable to type-approved motor vehicles of the M1 category less than 3.5T GVW. The Government has made this a voluntary programme where the base variants of a given model from all manufacturers shall be crash tested by approved test laboratories like GARC Chennai, ICAT Manesar and ARAI Pune. The programme is slated to commence from October 1, 2023, under the watchful eye of the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT).
How Different Is It From Global NCAP?
Crash testing under both Global NCAP (GNCAP) and BNCAP is classified under three parameters, Safety Rating Categories, the crash speeds and the type of crash. Under AIS-197, crash-tested vehicles will receive star ratings (out of five, one being the lowest) for AOP and COP. A vehicle must score at least 27 points in AOP and 41 points in COP to receive a five-star rating. While in GNCAP testing, a vehicle must score 34 points, 16 points for front crash, 16 points for side and 2 points for seat belt reminders.
BNCAP has been designed in line with international standards. So both the standards require a front offset impact test, side impact test and pole side impact test. Alike GNCAP, BNCAP also includes SAT - like Electronic Stability Control (ESC), pedestrian protection systems and Seat Belt Reminders (SBR) in its assessment.
The speeds at which the crash is executed are also similarly set at 64 kmph for frontal offset impact. BNCAP has set a side impact test at 50 kmph and a pole-side impact test at 29 kmph. Also, BNCAP will soon be testing electric vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles as soon as the programme starts operating in full swing.
Industry Reactions
Receiving a very positive response from the industry, AIS-197 will prove beneficial for both manufacturers and end consumers. It aids OEMs, and component manufacturers in developing quality products for the domestic and international markets while consumers can drive around in safer vehicles.
Vikram Gulati, Country Head & Executive Vice President, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, appreciating the Government’s decision to introduce BNCAP, said it is a step in the right direction. The decision comes at a time when consumers are looking at the highest safety standards and seeking safer vehicles, which is a steering purchase decision. In addition to empowering consumers, this will also help bring about greater awareness and further transparency by allowing them to know the comparative safety aspects of various products on offer.
Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA, commented that the BNCAP protocol launch is historic. It will lead to integrating advanced safety features in vehicles, thus minimising the risk of road accidents and fatalities. This initiative will bolster the auto component industry’s value chain and stimulate the production of cutting-edge components, encourage innovation, and create global excellence. ACMA anticipates a safer automotive landscape and a future where Indian auto component manufacturers thrive globally while contributing to responsible driving practices, reduced healthcare burdens, and potential incentives from the insurance sector.
Myung-Sik Sohn, Chief Sales and Business Officer, Kia India, stated that BNCAP is an enhanced road safety movement that extends much beyond just safety ratings for cars. Kia wholeheartedly commends and will comply with the Government of India for its visionary approach to safety, encompassing both active and passive safety components. Aligned with the Atmanirbhar Vision of the Government of India, this move eliminates the need and associated costs of testing vehicles outside. It will also elevate the global reputation of products from India to the world with good ratings in a big way.
Rajeev Singh, Partner & Consumer Industry Leader, Deloitte, Asia Pacific, added that this is a big step forward in terms of empowering customers to make conscious decisions, making it easier for OEMs to test vehicles faster & at lower cost, help design vehicles which are safer and eventually improve road safety. 'We are already the third largest PV market going by the trend in the first half of this year, and hence having our own norms and test facilities for the safety of vehicles is very timely,' he added.
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