Bharat New Car Assessment Programme Flashcards
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.
