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NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has released draft rules that could require new vehicles in India to communicate directly with each other, marking a significant step toward connected and safer mobility.
Under the proposal, Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication systems would become mandatory for all newly manufactured vehicles in key categories from October 1, 2028.
The draft amendment to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, is currently open for public comments for 30 days before a final notification is issued.
What V2V Communication Means
Vehicle-to-Vehicle technology allows nearby vehicles to wirelessly exchange real-time information such as speed, position, direction of travel, acceleration and sudden braking.
This data is shared within milliseconds, enabling drivers or onboard systems to receive early warnings about potential hazards even those outside the driver’s line of sight or beyond the range of cameras and radar.
Unlike conventional Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which rely on sensors limited by visibility, V2V can alert vehicles to dangers hidden by trucks, curves, fog or dense traffic. It is designed to complement existing safety features rather than replace them.
Typical safety applications include emergency brake alerts, forward collision warnings, wrong-way driving alerts, unsafe lane-change warnings and notifications of approaching emergency vehicles such as ambulances or fire engines.
Phased Implementation Timeline
The government has proposed a two-stage rollout to give manufacturers adequate preparation time:
• From October 1, 2027: Any newly manufactured Category L, M or N vehicle that is equipped with a V2V system must comply with the new AIS-230 technical standard. Fitting the technology itself remains optional at this stage.
• From October 1, 2028: All newly manufactured vehicles in Categories L, M and N must be fitted with V2V communication systems conforming to AIS-230.
These categories cover nearly all road vehicles: L (two- and three-wheelers), M (passenger vehicles including cars and buses) and N (goods vehicles such as trucks).
Technical Framework: AIS-230 and C-V2X
The core of the proposal is the new Automotive Industry Standard AIS-230, which sets minimum requirements for radio performance, positioning accuracy, cybersecurity, electromagnetic compatibility and safety applications.
The system is based on Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology operating in the 5.875 GHz to 5.925 GHz frequency band.
The Department of Telecommunications has already exempted this spectrum from licensing for intelligent transportation applications.
Vehicles will use factory-fitted On-Board Units to continuously broadcast and receive safety messages without necessarily relying on cellular networks for basic V2V functions.
Why This Matters for Road Safety
India’s roads face high accident rates, many involving collisions that occur when drivers cannot see hazards in time. By enabling vehicles to “talk” to one another, V2V aims to provide critical extra seconds of warning that could prevent chain-reaction crashes, improve emergency response and support the longer-term development of intelligent transport systems.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had constituted a Task Force to develop and implement Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in India, with a particular focus on Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication. The Task Force recommended using the 5.9 GHz ITS/V2X frequency band to enhance road safety and support connected mobility.
The draft remains under public consultation. Stakeholders, including vehicle manufacturers, component suppliers and technology providers, can submit feedback within the stipulated period.
If finalised in its current form, the regulation would represent one of India’s most significant moves toward connected vehicle technology and safer roads.
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