Global NCAP Crash Test Protocol To Be Revised, Become More Stringent

Global NCAP Crash Test 2021 Mahindra Thar Side Impact — Side impact test will be conducted as standard from 2022

Global NCAP crash test protocols are set to become far more stringent in the near future and will include side impact test as well.

Having begun its Safer Cars for India campaign back in 2014, the agency has gone on to conduct safety assessments on 42 cars made in India, with the 2021 Mahindra Thar being the most recent one to undergo the test.

However, a frontal crash test alone is being done at the moment, while the side impact test is carried only on cars scoring 5 stars or if the manufacturer requests for it (in case of cars scoring 4 stars and below).

Among the new tests would be the offset-deformable barrier test in which a car driven at 64 km/hr hits a barrier with a 40 percent overlap to simulate a real-world scenario of 2 cars crashing into each other at 50 km/hr. In addition, the side impact test will also be included.

New crash test protocols were set to be implemented this year, however, it has been postponed to January 2022, no thanks to COVID-19.

Importantly, inclusion of active safety measures are also being considered, as Global NCAP works on finalising the new protocol. Thus, systems like Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and seat belt reminders, will also make it into the list.

So, it is evident that if a car needs to achieve 5 stars in the Global NCAP crash test under the Safer Cars for India campaign, it would need to have active safety equipment as standard.

These changes will likely take Indian car safety towards the direction of European standards under which cars are tested for active, passive and post-crash safety.

Since manufacturers know upfront that changes are afoot, they can start working on producing cars that will meet revised minimum requirements.