Auto firms comfortable with V2V rollout after longer implementation window

Carmakers say 2028 mandate gives time to prepare suppliers, contain cost impact

Automobile (auto) manufacturers have welcomed the central government’s proposed rollout schedule for mandatory vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication systems, saying the October 2028 deadline gives companies ample time to prepare suppliers and integrate the technology without a sharp increase in vehicle prices.

 

V2V systems enable vehicles to exchange real-time safety information with nearby vehicles, including speed, position, direction of travel, and acceleration. The technology can provide warnings in situations such as sudden braking, collision risks, unsafe lane changes, and approaching emergency vehicles, helping improve road safety.

 

Senior auto executives told Business Standard that their primary concern with the proposed rules was not the technology itself but the time available to implement it across vehicle platforms. They said a shorter implementation window could have created difficulties in sourcing semiconductor chips and other components required for the systems, which remain expensive and are in limited supply globally.

 

A senior executive said the industry had sought adequate preparation time, as integrating the technology would require close coordination between vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. A compressed timeline, the executive added, could have resulted in higher costs being passed on to customers.

 

In a draft notification issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways proposed that vehicles under categories L, M, and N — including two-wheelers, passenger vehicles, buses, and commercial vehicles — manufactured from October 1, 2028, must be equipped with V2V communication systems conforming to AIS-230.

 

AIS-230 specifies the technical, functional, performance, and security requirements for V2V systems installed in vehicles operating on Indian roads.

 

The standard covers factory-fitted on-board units using cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technology in the 5.875 gigahertz (GHz) to 5.925 GHz frequency band.

 

Executives said the October 2028 rollout gives companies sufficient time to develop sourcing arrangements, complete validation and testing, and align the technology with future vehicle launches.

 

The transition will also require participation from the component industry. “Mandatory V2V communication systems from October 2028 mark an important step in the evolution of India’s connected mobility ecosystem. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will play a critical role by integrating V2V capabilities into vehicle platforms from the design stage, while component manufacturers will drive innovation in communication modules, sensors, electronic control units, embedded software, cybersecurity, and system integration,” said Suresh D, group chief technology officer and chief executive officer (CEO), Spark Minda Technical Centre.

 

Industry stakeholders said interoperability between vehicles from different manufacturers and common communication protocols will be critical for the technology to work effectively at scale. “The success of V2V communication will depend on how effectively the ecosystem is implemented at scale. This includes ensuring interoperability across different OEM platforms, standardising communication protocols, strengthening telecommunications coverage, and creating a secure framework for real-time data exchange,” said Vimal Singh S V, founder and CEO, ReadyAssist.

 

The draft rules also say that any vehicles equipped with V2V communication systems from October 1, 2027, onwards must comply with AIS-230 requirements, even though the technology becomes mandatory only from October 2028. This provision is intended to facilitate early adoption while ensuring that all manufacturers follow a common technical standard.

 

The V2V framework is expected to complement advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) — safety features that use cameras, radars, and sensors to assist drivers — by allowing vehicles to receive information beyond what their own sensors can detect.

 

Code for the road

 

• Mandatory V2V rollout to begin for new vehicles from October 2028
• Standard mandates cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X)-based communication for real-time safety information
• The new rule covers two-wheelers, passenger vehicles, buses, and commercial vehicles