Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat NCAP) is a new initiative by the Indian government. It aims to improve car safety standards in India. The new program will be applicable to the M1 category of vehicles that weigh up to 3,500 kg/ passenger vehicles with up to eight vehicles (plus the driver). Bharat NCAP will start crash tests on October 1, 2023. Maruti Suzuki is offering multiple models for the new crash tests. This includes Baleno, Brezza and Grand Vitara.
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Maruti Baleno, Brezza and Grand Vitara to be Tested by Bharat NCAP
Maruti Suzuki is the biggest car brand in the Indian market. Now, it will have the first cars with Bharat NCAP ratings. Maruti officials have welcomed the new initiative by the Indian government. The company has decided to offer multiple models to test their crash safety performance. This includes the sub-compact SUV Brezza, the mid-size SUV Grand Vitara, and the premium hatchback Baleno. Additionally, the company emphasized the car safety etiquettes like using seatbelts, in a public service announcement.
“Any car launched in India follows the mandatory safety standards set by the government and is, therefore, safe. For consumers seeking extra safety or manufacturers offering extra safety features, the Bharat NCAP system is an authentic and objective rating system to empower customers to make an informed choice,” said Rahul Bharti, Executive Officer of Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India. “At the same time, we would request all users to fasten seatbelts, whether in the front or rear seats, as that is the most critical factor in staying safe,” he added.
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Bharat NCAP
The new crash test program is designed to test the safety standards of passenger vehicles/ the M1 category (up to 3,500 kg). This includes cars with up to eight seats plus the driver. As of now, electric vehicles are not currently included in the Bharat NCAP. The final results will reflect the overall safety performance of car models. Once done, cars will be given star ratings ranging from one to five. Car manufacturers will need to apply for the Bharat NCAP test through FORM 70-A to the designated agency.
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Bharat NCAP will be managed by the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT). It will test the base variants across multiple domains. This includes adult occupant protection, safety assist technologies, and child occupant protection. The program will conduct rigorous crash testing. This will include frontal impact tests at 64 km/h speed, side impact tests at 50 km/h, and pole side impact tests at 29 km/h. Ratings will also depend on safety features like Electronic Stability Program (ESP), pedestrian protection, seat belt reminders, etc.
