MoRTH proposes V2V communication systems in vehicles from October 2027
Synopsis
India is moving to mandate smart inter-vehicle communication across all major vehicle categories by October 2028. MoRTH's draft notification on V2V systems — backed by the AIS-230 standard and C-V2X technology — could fundamentally shift road safety from passive hardware to live, networked collision prevention, at a time when India loses over 1.5 lakh lives to road accidents every year.
Key Takeaways
MoRTH issued a draft notification on 3 August proposing phased implementation of Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication systems in Indian motor vehicles.
Vehicles manufactured from 1 October 2027 must comply with AIS-230 if fitted with V2V systems.
From 1 October 2028 , V2V fitment becomes mandatory across all L, M, and N category vehicles.
The technology uses C-V2X operating in the 5.875–5.925 GHz band to share real-time speed, position, and hazard data between vehicles.
V2V systems can communicate beyond the line of sight , complementing existing ADAS capabilities.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on Monday, 3 August issued a draft notification proposing the phased rollout of Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication systems in motor vehicles across India, with the first compliance deadline set for October 2027. The move marks a significant step toward connected mobility and proactive road-safety infrastructure in the country.
What the Draft Notification Proposes
Under the proposed framework, vehicles equipped with V2V communication systems and manufactured on or after 1 October 2027 will be required to conform to Automotive Industry Standard AIS-230. From 1 October 2028, mandatory fitment of V2V systems will extend to all vehicles under categories L, M, and N — covering two-wheelers, passenger cars, and commercial vehicles respectively.
MoRTH stated that the phased timeline is designed to give automobile manufacturers and industry stakeholders adequate preparation time before full compliance becomes obligatory.
How V2V Technology Works
V2V communication enables vehicles in close proximity to exchange real-time data — including speed, position, direction, and acceleration — with one another. The system is engineered to alert drivers or onboard vehicle systems to imminent hazards such as sudden braking events, forward-collision risks, unsafe lane changes, and the approach of emergency vehicles.
Critically, V2V systems can relay information beyond the direct line of sight, a capability that conventional safety systems and even Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) cannot match. This extended situational awareness is expected to support proactive accident prevention rather than reactive response.
The Technical Standard Behind the Proposal
The regulatory push is underpinned by AIS-230, a technical standard that defines minimum functional, performance, environmental, security, and technical requirements for V2V systems operating on Indian roads. The standard covers factory-installed On-Board Units (OBUs) based on Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology, operating in the 5.875 GHz to 5.925 GHz frequency band.
This is the same spectrum band increasingly adopted globally for intelligent transport systems, aligning India's regulatory framework with international standards.
Why This Matters for Road Safety
India consistently records among the highest road-accident fatalities in the world, with over 1.5 lakh deaths annually according to government data. V2V technology represents a structural upgrade from passive safety measures — seatbelts and airbags — to active, networked collision prevention. Notably, this proposal complements MoRTH's broader push on ADAS mandates and connected vehicle policy that has gathered pace since 2022.
Industry bodies are expected to submit feedback during the public consultation period. If adopted, the mandate could accelerate investment in C-V2X infrastructure and reshape procurement decisions across the automotive supply chain.
Point of View
But the real test lies in enforcement and infrastructure readiness. Mandating On-Board Units is straightforward; ensuring the roadside and network infrastructure for C-V2X to function meaningfully is a separate — and far harder — challenge. India's ADAS mandates have moved slowly on compliance monitoring, and V2V risks the same fate if the AIS-230 rollout is not paired with spectrum allocation certainty and independent testing protocols. The October 2028 deadline is ambitious for a market where even basic safety norms see delayed adoption.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the V2V communication system proposed by MoRTH?
Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication is a technology that allows vehicles in close proximity to exchange real-time data — such as speed, position, direction, and acceleration — to warn drivers of potential collisions, unsafe lane changes, or approaching emergency vehicles. MoRTH has proposed making it mandatory in Indian motor vehicles in a phased manner starting October 2027.
When will V2V systems become mandatory in India?
Vehicles manufactured on or after 1 October 2027 that are fitted with V2V systems must comply with AIS-230. Full mandatory fitment across all L, M, and N category vehicles kicks in from 1 October 2028.
Which vehicle categories are covered under the proposed mandate?
The mandate covers categories L (two- and three-wheelers), M (passenger vehicles), and N (commercial vehicles) — effectively spanning the vast majority of motor vehicles sold in India.
What is the AIS-230 standard?
AIS-230 is an Automotive Industry Standard that sets the minimum functional, performance, environmental, security, and technical requirements for V2V communication systems on Indian roads. It specifies factory-installed On-Board Units based on C-V2X technology operating in the 5.875–5.925 GHz frequency band.
How does V2V differ from existing ADAS safety systems?
While ADAS relies on onboard sensors with line-of-sight limitations, V2V communication can relay hazard information from vehicles beyond what cameras or radar can detect. The two technologies are complementary — V2V extends situational awareness, while ADAS handles immediate onboard response.
