Bharat New Car Assessment Programme

• 25 Aug 2023

For Prelims: Bharat New Car Assessment Programme, Global NCAP, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways

For Mains: Positive Outcomes and Challenges Related to Bharat NCAP.

Source: TH

Why in News?

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, has introduced the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP).

• This indigenous star-rating system aims to evaluate the safety of vehicles in the event of a collision, empowering consumers to make informed decisions while purchasing cars.
• This comprehensive program is set to come into effect from October 1, 2023, and will play a pivotal role in curbing the alarming number of road fatalities in India.

What is Bharat NCAP?

• About: Under the Bharat NCAP initiative, vehicles, particularly passenger cars, will be subjected to rigorous crash testing procedures, and based on their performance as per protocols laid down in the soon-to-be-published Automotive Industry Standard 197, they will be assigned a safety rating ranging from one to five stars.
  • The programme is applicable to passenger vehicles with not more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat with gross vehicle weight not exceeding 3,500 kgs.
  • The test procedure involves Frontal Offset Test, Side Impact Test and Pole-Side Impact Test.
    • This rating will provide consumers with a clear indication of a vehicle's safety standards in the event of a collision.
  • Notably, Bharat NCAP is voluntary, encouraging manufacturers to nominate their vehicles for testing, thereby driving the production of safer cars in the Indian market.
• Testing Parameters: Bharat NCAP evaluates vehicles based on three crucial parameters:
  • Adult Occupant Protection: This parameter assesses the level of protection a vehicle offers to adult passengers in the event of a crash.
  • Child Occupant Protection: The safety of child occupants is equally vital. This parameter gauges a vehicle's effectiveness in safeguarding young passengers during collisions.
  • Safety Assist Technologies: Modern vehicles are equipped with a range of safety assist technologies. This parameter examines the presence and effectiveness of these technologies in preventing accidents or minimizing their impact.
• Mandatory and Recommended Testing: While the Bharat NCAP is voluntary, certain scenarios can trigger mandatory testing:
  • Base Model Testing: The base model of a popular variant, with a minimum sale of 30,000 units, may be subjected to testing.
  • Ministry Recommendations: If recommended by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways based on market feedback or public safety concerns, certain models might undergo testing.
• Evolution and Alignment with Global Standards: The Bharat NCAP draws inspiration from the Global NCAP, a project initiated by the U.K.-based NGO Towards Zero Foundation.
  • The Global NCAP acts as a collaborative platform for new car assessment programs worldwide including countries such as the U.S. which has the world’s oldest crash testing regime since 1978. .
  • Over the years, India's testing protocols have evolved, with more than 50 crash test results published for the Indian market.
    • Notably, Tata achieved India's first 5-star car rating in 2018.
• Possible Outcomes:
  • Reduced Fatalities: With India witnessing around 1.5 lakh road fatalities annually, Bharat NCAP aims to reduce casualties by encouraging the production of safer vehicles.
  • Healthcare and Insurance Relief: Improved vehicle safety would lead to a reduction in the burden on healthcare and insurance sectors, resulting in positive societal and economic impacts.
  • Manufacturer Reputation: Manufacturers can enhance their brand reputation through consumer-centric practices, fostering higher consumer loyalty.
• Challenges:
  • Diverse Road Conditions: India's road infrastructure varies greatly, from congested urban roads to poorly maintained rural highways.
    • Different road conditions can impact the way vehicles behave during crashes, making it challenging to design a one-size-fits-all safety assessment framework.
  • Affordability and Market Dynamics: A substantial portion of the Indian population seeks budget-friendly vehicles, which might pose a challenge for manufacturers in implementing advanced safety features.
    • Striking a balance between affordability and safety could be a complex task, requiring innovative engineering solutions.
  • Variety of Vehicles: India's automotive market is diverse, featuring a wide range of vehicle types and sizes.
    • Designing crash tests that effectively evaluate safety across this diversity, from compact cars to SUVs, requires thorough consideration of different vehicle dynamics.
  • Consumer and their Preferences: While the Bharat NCAP aims to empower consumers, the challenge lies in creating awareness about safety ratings and convincing buyers to prioritize safety over other features.
    • Consumer preferences might still lean towards design, features, and price, limiting the immediate impact of safety ratings.

Way Forward

• Collaborative Safety R&D Hubs: There is a need to establish safety research and development hubs in collaboration with academic institutions and manufacturers.
  • These hubs can focus on addressing specific safety challenges unique to India, fostering innovation through joint research.
• Road Safety Awareness through Art: There is a need to collaborate with local artists to create safety-themed public art installations near accident-prone areas that can raise awareness about the importance of safe driving.
• "Safety Score" Integration: Insurance companies can assign a safety score to each vehicle model based on its NCAP rating.
  • This safety score can be displayed prominently on advertisements and dealerships, making safety a focal point of consumer decisions.