The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has conducted three crash tests on electric two-wheelers at its facility in Pune. The development marks a significant step towards potentially establishing safety standards for the burgeoning electric two-wheeler segment in India.
In what could be a global first, the move comes despite the absence of mandatory crash testing regulations for two-wheelers. ARAI said the tests were conducted for specific customers against standard industry benchmarks, utilising accelerometers and high-speed cameras to capture detailed crash data. A standard rigid barrier and a side pole were used in the tests, and citing confidentiality agreements with manufacturers, ARAI declined to disclose the identities of the companies that requested the tests.
Automotive industry stakeholders believe this development could signal a future push for mandatory electric two-wheeler crash testing in India, potentially raising safety standards for a rapidly growing segment of the automotive market.
This comes at a time when the Indian electric two-wheeler industry is fortifying its safety parameters after a spate of fire accidents in recent years. These incidents raised serious concerns about vehicle and passenger safety. The Indian government responded forcefully with new battery safety norms, and experts say this move helped eliminate unrealiable products with cheap, poorly built batteries.
A research report by Bain & Company and Blume Ventures suggests that the electric two-wheeler market penetration could grow from its current level of around 5 percent to about 45 percent by 2030. However, this growth hinges on efforts by manufacturers to develop mid-segment scooters and introduce innovative entry-level motorcycles. While increasing sales volumes and penetration levels will undoubtedly make a significant difference in electric two-wheeler adoption, rider perceptions of safety remain the key factor.