In response to recent fire incidents involving battery-operated vehicles and a sleeper coach bus, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has taken decisive actions to enhance vehicle safety standards.
The Ministry established a Committee of experts to recommend safety standards for electric vehicle batteries, battery management systems (BMS), and related components. The Committee’s report led to the upgrading of safety standards for batteries and associated systems in electric vehicles. The Ministry has since notified manufacturers of these updated standards. Additionally, the standards for sleeper coaches (AIS 119) have been revised to prevent similar incidents.
Key Government Actions to Prevent Vehicle Fires:
- Amendments to Automotive Industry Standards (AIS):
- Based on the Committee’s recommendations and stakeholder inputs, amendments to AIS 156 (for L category electric power train vehicles) and AIS 038 (Rev 2) (for M and N category electric power train vehicles) were published and became effective on March 31, 2023.
- Procedure for Type Approval and Conformity of Production:
- An amendment to sub-rule 4 of Rule 124 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989, was made on December 19, 2022, detailing the procedure for type approval and establishing conformity for traction battery components in electric vehicles.
- Mandatory Compliance with Safety Standards:
- Vehicle manufacturers are required to comply with safety standards notified by the Government. Rule 126 of the CMVR mandates that every motor vehicle manufacturer or importer must submit vehicle prototypes for testing to any notified agency to ensure compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and the CMVR, 1989.
- Safety Requirements for Fully Built Buses:
- Fully built buses (with a seating capacity of 22 passengers or more, excluding the driver) manufactured from April 1, 2019, must comply with AIS:153 and include fire detection, alarm, and suppression systems as per AIS:135 and AIS:153. Bus body builders must comply with these requirements starting September 1, 2025.
- Extended Fire Protection Standards:
- The scope of AIS 135 has been extended to cover the passenger compartment of school buses and Type III buses, effective October 1, 2023.
- Revised Standards for Sleeper Coaches:
- The standard for sleeper coaches (AIS 119) has been revised, with the first phase implemented on December 1, 2023, and the second phase set to apply to vehicles built after July 1, 2025.
These measures were detailed in a written reply by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, in the Rajya Sabha today, underscoring the government’s commitment to enhancing vehicle safety and preventing fire incidents.
