Vehicle testing agencies set to get tech upgrades

New Delhi: India is planning to ramp up its vehicle testing agencies, upgrading them for new-age technologies and ushering speedier turnaround time for applicants, officials said.

"It is increasingly being felt that more such testing facilities are required with newer technologies being embedded in vehicles," a senior official told ET, adding that currently a new vehicle takes roughly a year to get all required certifications from the testing agencies.

The official said the idea is not just to crunch the time taken, but also to make the testing process more intensive in view of electronics and tech used in vehicles these days.


"A decade ago, electronics made up less than 10% of a car by value. This has risen to between 15-35% today with premium vehicles being heavier on electronics, requiring specialised vetting agencies," said V G Ramakrishnan, managing partner at consultancy firm Avanteum Advisors.

Such a specialised testing is currently limited only to the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) in Manesar.

The government is of the view that these new-age vehicles need to be tested for any possible electromagnetic interference during driving in view of the use of multiple technologies and sensors in vehicles, the official indicated. Another concern is being felt about communication between vehicles that have a tech interface or are self-driven.

"As more autonomous cars emerge, they should interact with other vehicles with minimal miscommunication to reduce accidents," the official added.

Facilities to ensure compliance with these requirements will be part of the ₹780 crore upgrade for testing agencies budgeted under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme. Existing centres in Manesar, Indore and Chennai will also be upgraded.