Bharat NCAP To Begin Crash Tests Today. Maruti, Tata, Hyundai Among First To Send Cars

The Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP) is set to start the crash tests of cars today. The companies likely to send their cars for the test include Tata, Hyundai, Mahindra, and Maruti Suzuki.

Bharat NCAP is set to commence crash testing of cars today. (Representative image of a car test dummy) ( Image Source :Getty )

The new vehicle testing agency in India, Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP), is set to begin testing cars to check the extent of safety that the vehicles will provide to the consumers in case of any mishap. Carmakers like Hyundai, Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, KIA and Mahindra are expected to send around 15 cars for testing, reported Hindustan Times Auto. Some of the cars that are expected to be seen at the testing are Hyundai's Exter and Creta, Maruti Suzuki's Baleno, Brezza, and Grand Vitara, Kia's Seltos and Sonet, and Tata's Punch, reported AutoX. 

Let us dive into what Bharat NCAP is and what can we expect from it.

Bharat NCAP

Earlier in August, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways rolled out an indigenous star-rating system for crash testing cars, under which vehicles will be getting stars between one and five in order to indicate the extent of safety that they will provide in the event of a collision. By doing this, India became the fifth nation in the world after the US, China, South Korea, and Japan to have its own new vehicle assessment programme.

The Bharat NCAP system will, however, be voluntary. Customers can check these ratings and purchase the car accordingly, which they believe will protect them and their loved ones the best.

Prior to the introduction of Bharat NCAP, Indian cars were going through crash tests under the Global NCAP. 

Bharat NCAP Vs GNCAP

Both NCAPs have global crash test protocols. Bharat NCAP tests will comprise the offset deformable barrier (ODB) frontal impact test, side impact test, and pole side impact test. 

GNCAP, in a way, follows a similar testing procedure, but it also necessitates other features like Pedestrian Protection Systems (PPS) and seatbelt reminders for all in line with UN Regulation Number 127 or Global Technical Regulation Number 9.

According to a GoMechanic report, GNCAP’s testing speed is 64 kmph, simulating a 50 kmph crash. Bharat NCAP follows similar lines when it comes to frontal crash test speed. However, it has variations when it comes to the side and pole-side impact tests, set at 50 kmph and 29 kmph, respectively.

Notably, Bharat NCAP does not just stick to the conventional safety texts, but it extends beyond. Bharat NCAP encompasses evaluations for ICE cars, CNG vehicles, and Electric Vehicles (EVs). It is expected to provide a composite rating by amalgamating results from adult and child crash tests.

The cars undergoing the BNCAP tests will need to secure a minimum of 27 points in Adult Occupation Protection (AOP) and 41 points in Child Occupation Protection (COP) to get a 5-star rating. For a minimum of 3-star rating, cars need to be equipped with six airbags, PPS-compliant front design, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and seatbelt reminder for front seats, reported Hindustan Times Auto. 

During the time of Bharat NCAP's launch, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said that the mechanism would award 5-star ratings to the cars that fulfill other criteria and also come with 6 airbags, according to a Hindustan Times Auto report.