Introduction
Car ownership may seem straightforward, but with technological advancements and safety norms, things are rapidly evolving. Enter Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Program), a new step in ensuring safer roads in India. This might seem like another acronym to remember, but trust us, it can be a game-changer when you're opting for a car subscription or buying a car outright. Let's dive deep into understanding what this initiative is, how it will impact your car buying decisions, and make our roads safer.
Understanding Bharat NCAP
Bharat NCAP, simply known as the New Car Assessment Programme, is an indigenous star-rating system set to revolutionise the safety standards of cars in India. Simply put, Bharat NCAP is a crash test rating system that assesses the safety performance of cars and awards them star ratings based on their performance in crash tests.
This programme is significant as it places India among the elite league of countries that have their own car crash test rating systems. According to reports, more than 30 requests have already been received from various auto manufacturers eager to have their cars subjected to these tests. This widespread participation showcases the industry's commitment towards safer vehicles.
One essential aspect of the Bharat NCAP testing process is its cost-effectiveness. The cost of testing a car under this programme is close to ₹60 lakh, making it one of the most affordable crash testing rating systems globally compared to global tests which require around ₹2.5 crore.
The Ratings and Tests
Like global agencies, the Bharat NCAP crash test rating follows specific protocols and awards a star rating between 1 to 5 Stars, with 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest. The tests primarily cover three areas: Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), Child Occupant Protection (COP), and Fitment of Safety Assist Technologies.
Every car under this new programme will have to undergo three main impact tests:
Front Impact Test: The car is crashed against an offset deformable barrier at a speed of 64 km/hr.
Side Impact Test: This test assesses the car's side safety during an impact.
Side Pole Impact Test: Only cars securing a minimum of a 3-star rating will be subjected to this test, at a speed of 29 km/hr.
Table: Bharat NCAP Point Breakup
Rating
|
Adult Occupant (AOP)
|
Child Occupant (COP)
|
5-Star
|
27 points
|
41 points
|
4-Star
|
22 points
|
35 points
|
3-Star
|
16 points
|
27 points
|
2-Star
|
10 points
|
18 points
|
1-Star
|
4 points
|
9 points
|
Vehicle eligibility for Bharat NCAP
The vehicles classified under the M1 category, approved to carry up to eight occupants are eligible for the Bharat NCAP rating. All eligible cars should have a gross weight of less than 3.5 tonnes and should be either manufactured or imported into India. Additionally, CNG as well as electric vehicles are also eligible for testing and rating under the new Bharat NCAP programme.
The working of Bharat NCAP
The process of assigning a Bharat NCAP rating to a vehicle follows a systematic series of steps:
1. Voluntary nomination of the vehicle model by the manufacturer
2. Selection of the base variant of the vehicle model through random sampling
3. Transportation of the selected vehicle to the testing centre in Pune for crash testing
4. Compilation and sharing of the test results, followed by approval from the standing committee
5. Publication of the results by Bharat NCAP accompanied by a certificate issued by the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT)
Bharat NCAP vs Global NCAP
Bharat NCAP is based on Global NCAP protocols and shares most testing procedures and standards with it. The key differentiating factor lies in the maximum Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) points-GNCAP awards a maximum AOP score of 34 points, whereas Bharat NCAP limits it to 32 points. This difference arises due to additional points awarded by GNCAP for front and rear seat belt reminders.
Conclusion
Bharat NCAP is an exciting initiative aimed at enabling consumers to make informed decisions while choosing cars, whether through outright purchases or via flexible options like car subscription services such as Quiklyz. A car subscription from Quiklyz makes it convenient for you to use a car without the complications of owning one. The subscription fees include insurance & maintenance and do not have any down payments.
With the increasing demand for safer cars in India, this programme is expected to significantly improve road safety standards and increase the global credibility and export worthiness of cars manufactured in India.