Latest news with #MoRTH


New Indian Express
a day ago
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
Centre empowers states to set EV, accessibility quotas for ride aggregators
NEW DELHI: In a move to modernise urban mobility, strengthen the gig economy and promote inclusion, the Centre has overhauled the Motor Vehicles Aggregator Guidelines, authorising states to set annual targets for electric vehicle (EV) adoption in app-based transport fleets. The revised guidelines, issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), aim to accelerate the transition to sustainable transport and ensure greater inclusion of persons with disabilities. While the Centre has stopped short of mandating a national EV quota, the new rules require a steady year-on-year increase in the share of EVs in aggregator fleets. State governments are now empowered to set and enforce these targets based on the needs of each state. The framework also mandates that a portion of aggregator fleets be made accessible to persons with disabilities (Divyangjan). The states can now fix specific quotas for both Divyangjan-friendly vehicles and their representation in the driver workforce. 'In addition to customer- and driver-friendly reforms, the guidelines promote sustainability and inclusion. States will decide annually the number of EVs to be added. Similarly, they will determine how many Divyangjan-friendly vehicle aggregators must operate,' a ministry official told the TNIE. The updated rules also close several regulatory gaps from the previous version. Aggregators will now apply for a single licence covering all vehicle types—cars, bikes, and autos—across the entire state, streamlining the compliance process.

Mint
a day ago
- Automotive
- Mint
Honda says ABS rollout from Jan for two-wheelers to drive up imports
Honda Motorcycles and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd has joined larger peer Honda MotoCorp Ltd in flagging concerns about the January rollout of anti-lock braking system in all two-wheelers, saying it could spike imports as local suppliers are not yet ready to meet the demand. 'Cost is definitely there as an impact. But more important is in terms of whether we are really prepared from the supply side point of view," Yogesh Mathur, director of sales and marketing at Honda Motorcycles and Scooter India (HMSI), told Mint. Suppliers will have to rely on import routes due to the strict timelines and domestic manufacturing will have to prepare accordingly, he said. The country's second-largest two-wheeler maker's warning reflects the anxiety flagged by its former partner, Hero, about the 'key business risk" in its latest annual report, without directly referring to the anti-lock braking system (ABS) implementation from 1 January. The system improves traction and helps avoid skidding on roads, which helps prevent accidents. Currently, only two-wheelers with an engine capacity of more than 125cc are required to have ABS. At the end of the financial year 2025, only 16% of the total 19.6 million two-wheelers sold had the required technology. If the draft proposal is implemented, 84% of the two-wheeler market will have to install ABS, increasing the cost by ₹3,000-5,000 per unit. Representatives of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam), an industry lobby, met on 9 July with the Union roads ministry secretary to seek a relaxation on the rollout deadline. The minutes of the 9 July meeting, accessed by Mint, showed the Siam delegation asked for more time to study India-specific accident data before implementing such regulations. '[But] the Secretary MoRTH stressed the urgent need for implementing safety measures, citing the high percentage of 2-wheeler fatalities, and emphasised technical interventions." HMSI's Mathur told Mint, 'If these deadlines prevail, definitely, I think it will be only through the import route, not from the domestic side unless the investments are being done by the supplier to increase their production." Analysts predict that the domestic ABS industry will see rapid growth due to the implementation of such regulations. 'With the shift toward ABS, we expect the industry size to increase by 5X to ₹80.4 bn," Rishi Vora, an analyst at Kotak Institutional Equities, wrote in a 20 June note. 'Currently, the 2W ABS market is dominated by Bosch—unlisted arm (60-70% market share), Continental andEndurance Technologies (10-15% market share)." Other analysts flagged reliance on imports for critical ABS 65–70% of critical ABS components, particularly electronic control units and wheel speed sensors, are imported, with China and select Asean nations forming a major part of the sourcing base, said Harshvardhan Sharma, group head for auto tech and innovation at Nomura Research Institute Consulting and Solutions India.'While domestic suppliers are actively expanding capacity, a full localization transition may require at least a 12–18 month runway, factoring in validation cycles, tooling, and volume commitments," Sharma said. Subhabrata Sengupta, partner at Avalon Consulting, suggests that with the deadline approaching soon, more players will look to enter the segment and expand their capacities. '...The ECU and sensor may be imported initially, but assembly may be indigenized quickly," Sengupta said. 'However, in our view, this is a deadline to light a fire. In all probability, this may get relaxed by say 6 months, making implementation smoother."


India Today
a day ago
- Automotive
- India Today
Combi brakes vs ABS: Which system is best for your bike?
When it comes to motorcycle safety, braking systems play a critical role in preventing accidents and ensuring rider control. Two popular braking technologies: Combi Brakes and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) have become focal points. But which system offers the best performance, safety, and value? Let's break it brakes: AffordableThe Combined Braking System (CBS), also known as linked brakes, is designed to distribute braking force between the front and rear wheels when the rider applies either brake. This technology is commonly found on entry-level of CBS: Affordability: CBS is less expensive to implement, keeping bike prices of use: Ideal for beginners, as it simplifies braking by automatically engaging both stability: Reduces the risk of skidding by balancing braking force, particularly on scooters and commuter control in extreme conditions, such as wet or slippery effective at high speeds or during aggressive braking compared to Advanced SafetyAnti-lock Braking System (ABS) allows one to steer away from obstacles as it prevents wheel lock-up during sudden braking, maintaining traction and allowing riders to steer while slowing down. Mandatory for bikes above 125cc in many countries, ABS is standard on premium and performance-oriented motorcycles. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) recently announced that from January 1, 2026, all new two-wheelers sold in India, irrespective of engine capacity, must come equipped with Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS). Currently, ABS is mandatory only for two-wheelers with engine capacities above benefits of ABS:Superior safety: Prevents skids and maintains control, especially in emergencies or adverse performance: Ideal for high-speed riding or sport bikes, offering precise Works effectively on diverse terrains, from wet roads to Cost: ABS increases the bike's price, which may deter budget-conscious More complex systems can lead to higher repair Should You Choose?For urban commuters and new riders, CBS offers a practical, budget-friendly solution that enhances safety without breaking the bank. However, for those riding at higher speeds, on challenging terrains, or prioritising maximum control, ABS is the clear motorcycles evolve, the choice between CBS and ABS will depend on your riding style, experience, and the roads you travel. Whether you're zipping through city traffic or carving through mountain roads, picking the right braking system can make all the to Auto Today Magazine- Ends

Mint
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Mint
Hero calls out 'regulatory complexity' amid MoRTH's push for safety
The country's largest two-wheeler company, Hero MotoCorp Ltd, has added "regulatory complexity" as one of the new key business risks at a time when the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) is rushing the two-wheeler players to implement anti-lock braking systems (ABS) to increase said in its latest annual report that frequent regulatory changes increase cost and require process realignment, which is a concern for the company. The disclosure in the annual report came after a delegation of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) members met the secretary of the road transport ministry on 9 July to discuss the implementation of ABS regulations. Hero MotoCorp, TVS Motor Co. Ltd, Bajaj Auto Ltd, and Ather Energy are among the members of SIAM. Also Read: Ola's 90% outlets to be shuttered in India's top electric scooter-selling state The government has made ABS mandatory in all two-wheelers from 1 January to improve safety. ABS helps provide better traction during braking, reducing skidding and accidents. Currently, only two-wheelers with engines above 125cc are required to have ABS, which is about 16% of the two-wheeler market. 'Constantly evolving regulations require continuous adaptation, leading to increased compliance costs. Frequent regulatory changes may cause operational disruptions and require process realignment," Hero wrote in its annual report as part of key enterprise-level risks and their mitigation. The company did not directly attribute the addition of this risk to the ABS proposal. Queries emailed to Hero MotoCorp remained unanswered till press time. Cost escalation However, the two-wheeler industry is concerned about the possible impact of the ABS regulation, which can lead to a ₹3,000 to ₹5,000 increase in the cost of a vehicle. At a time when the industry is expecting 5-6% growth in two-wheeler sales due to slowing demand, a cost increase can be a major challenge for the firm. The minutes of the meeting accessed by Mint showed that during the meeting with the secretary on 9 July, the Siam delegation asked for more time to study India-specific accident data before implementing such regulations. 'The Secretary MoRTH stressed the urgent need for implementing safety measures, citing the high percentage of 2-wheeler fatalities, and emphasised technical interventions," the minutes further read. According to analysts, Hero will face the biggest heat of the move as 94% of its total volumes does not have ABS. In a note on 20 June, analysts at Kotak Institutional Equities said that 94% of the company's total volumes will be impacted, which can lead to increased costs. Also Read: Tesla dares BYD, BMW, Merc in India's luxury lane This will come at a time when the two-wheeler sales of the company are in the slow lane in the domestic market, with sales growing 4% to 5.4 million units. In the first quarter of the current financial year, the sales in the two-wheeler industry declined by 6% to 4.6 million units. Hero MotoCorp's sales during the April-June period fell by 12% to 1.3 million units. 'In terms of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Hero MotoCorp and TVS Motors will be the most impacted, as 94% and 64% of their total volumes, respectively, will undergo price increases from CY2026. Bajaj Auto will relatively have less impact, as 35% of its volumes will only get impacted by ABS norms," Rishi Vora of Kotak Institutional Equities said. While the industry is lobbying for relaxation in implementing such norms, not all players are on the same page. Ola Electric's chairperson and managing director, Bhavish Aggarwal, has argued for the quick implementation of the regulations to ensure customer safety. Also Read: India plans auto parts export boost amid Trump tariff shock 'Our stance is that the sooner the better. We should not compromise with customer safety," Aggarwal said during the company's earnings call on 14 July. 'For industry, when they do ABS, anywhere between ₹3,000 to ₹5,000, they incur in terms of Bill of Materials (BOM) cost, depending on what kind of ABS."Hero MotoCorp's mitigation strategies include 'proactive regulatory monitoring and active engagement with industry peers and regulators" to deal with regulatory complexity.


Indian Express
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Indian Express
Centre suspends 9 scrapping units over violations
Mismatches in the generation of certificates of deposit (COD) and vehicle scrapping, and non-compliance with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines have been flagged as the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) suspended nine Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSFs) from participating in the government auctions. The RVSFs, officials said, have been suspended from the Metal Scrap Trade Corporation Limited (MSTC), a PSU under the Ministry of Steel, and can no longer access the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) auction. The MoRTH has also asked the registering authorities in states to take action against these RVSFs. Officials said that the e-auction access to the nine suspended RVSFs will be reinstated after they submit satisfactory proof that RVSFs are compliant with the MoRTH-notified rules and CPCB guidelines. In a letter written to the state transport department of all states and UTs, the transport section of MoRTH underlined that there is also a large gap in the number of government vehicles purchased in auctions for scrapping and the number of CoDs generated by the RVSFs, which is a mandatory requirement. 'As per Rule 14 of the Motor Vehicles (Registration and Functions of Vehicle Scrapping Facility) Rules, 2021, RVSFs are required to conduct audits in every financial year and submit the audit reports in the National Single Window System portal by May 31….It has been noted that a large number of RVSFs have failed to submit the audit reports for the financial year 2024-25…All such RVSFs are requested to submit the audit reports immediately…' it reads. It also says that, additionally, it has also been brought to MoRTH's notice that some RVSFs across the states are non-compliant with CPCB guidelines of 'environmentally sound management of ELVs'. For example, they have been found selling engines recovered from scrapped vehicles, and scrapping procured government vehicles through e-auctions at local scrap yards. 'Such a practice poses a challenge to the successful implementation of the policy…Further, it has also been highlighted that RVSFs are issuing the CODs without digitally signing them…this makes the COD unable to be traded or utilised, thus rendering the individuals unable to avail the incentives under the policy…All the RVSFs are requested to ensure that all CODs may be digitally signed to avoid further non-compliance,' reads the letter, also marked to RVSFs. Explaining the process, an official said, 'The RVSFs are found to be trading CoDs without scrapping the vehicle as people get concessions in purchasing new vehicles by showing the certificate. On the other hand, they sell vehicles in other states, for profits, where overage vehicles are allowed to ply'