NEW DELHI: In a move aimed at providing more realistic and accurate mileage figures for cars, the road transport ministry has proposed mandatory testing of fuel efficiency with the air-conditioning (AC) system both switched on and off. The proposed regulation will apply to all cars, including Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs), manufactured or imported in India from October 1.Officials said subsequently, it will be mandatory for car manufacturers and importers to put the mileage for with and without AC on in the user manual of vehicles and on their website as well. So far car manufacturers have argued that as per European norms, only mileage without AC is taken into account. This is expected to improve transparency and help consumers make more informed purchasing decisions.The draft notification issued on Thursday said, “On and after October 1, 2026, all vehicles of category M1 (cars), manufactured or imported in India, shall be tested for measurement of fuel consumption with air-conditioning system in operation, as per AIS-213, as amended from time to time.” Officials said the move is intended to reflect real-world driving conditions, where AC usage significantly impacts mileage and energy consumption. At present, car manufacturers in India declare fuel-efficiency figures based on testing conducted without the AC running. Automakers have maintained that this practice aligns with prevailing European norms. However, govt officials noted that such figures often do not reflect actual on-road performance, leading to a gap between claimed and experienced mileage.AIS-213 lays down detailed procedures for measuring vehicle emissions and fuel consumption while the AC system is operational. The standard is designed to capture the additional fuel use and emissions generated due to AC load, which can substantially affect real-world efficiency and pollution levels.TOI has learnt that the ministry is also working on a broader framework to increase consumer awareness about vehicle emissions and in the near future, car owners may get exact information on this.
