Monday, January 19, 2026
By Kamal Swami
India To Introduce Stricter Car Mileage Norms From 2026
It is reported that passenger vehicles sold in India could soon be required to undergo more strict fuel-efficiency testing. As part of the new rules, the mileage of four-wheelers will be tested while the air-conditioning system is switched on. The proposed change, announced by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, is expected to come into effect from October 1, 2026, after receiving final approval from the ministry.
The move is aimed at reducing the gap between officially claimed fuel-efficiency figures and real-world driving conditions experienced by car owners.
What is mentioned in the proposal?
According to a draft amendment to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), all M1 category vehicles, including passenger cars manufactured locally as well as imported models, will undergo fuel-efficiency test under the AIS-213 norms. Once implemented, fuel consumption will be measured with the air-conditioning system in operation, and not like the existing procedures, where the AC remains switched off during certification tests.
Public Feedback Invited
The road transport ministry has invited feedback from car manufacturers and the general public on the draft proposal. A 30-day consultation period has been opened for submitting objections or suggestions, after which the rules will be finalised.
Reason Behind the Change
In the words of officials of the Ministry of Transport, the revision is necessary to ensure car owners enjoy better fuel-efficiency figures based on their driving habits. Considering driving conditions in India, air-conditioning is used for a long duration of driving time, making fuel efficiency figures different from everyday usage. Including AC operation in mileage testing is expected to provide consumers with more realistic fuel-efficiency data.
Current Fuel-Efficiency Testing Norms
At present, car manufacturers declare mileage figures based on tests conducted without using the air-conditioning system. This fuel-efficiency testing procedure is in accordance with existing European testing standards. However, government authorities argue that this often results in optimistic mileage claims that differ from real-world performance, prompting the push for an updated and more practical testing methodology.
