Govt proposes mandatory V2V communication systems for all new vehicles — How it will work

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed making Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication systems mandatory on all newly manufactured vehicles from October 1, 2028. The proposal covers L, M and N category vehicles, which include two-wheelers, passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles. It has been issued as a draft amendment to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989, and is aimed at improving road safety by allowing vehicles to communicate with each other in real time.

Govt proposes mandatory V2V communication systems

The proposal follows a phased approach instead of introducing the requirement immediately. Manufacturers that choose to offer V2V technology from October 1, 2027, will have to comply with the new AIS-230 Automotive Industry Standard. If the draft is approved, the system will become mandatory on all newly manufactured L, M and N category vehicles from October 1, 2028. AIS-230 sets the technical and safety requirements for these systems. It covers communication performance, positioning accuracy, electrical systems, electromagnetic compatibility, cybersecurity and the overall performance needed for safety-related applications.

Technical specifications

Under AIS-230, vehicles will use factory-fitted On-Board Units (OBUs) based on Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology. These units will operate in the 5.875GHz to 5.925GHz frequency band. The required spectrum was already exempted from licensing by the Department of Telecommunications in June 2026, clearing the way for this proposal.

The system is designed to support features such as Emergency Brake Alert, Forward Collision Warning, Wrong-way Driving Alert and Emergency Vehicle Alert. These functions allow vehicles to exchange safety information in real time and warn drivers about potential hazards before they become visible. The draft notification has been released for 30 days of public consultation, after which the ministry will review feedback before issuing the final rules.

How V2V communication systems technology works

V2V technology allows vehicles to wirelessly share information such as speed, position, direction and acceleration with nearby vehicles. Unlike conventional Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which rely mainly on cameras, radars and other onboard sensors, V2V enables vehicles to communicate directly with each other.

This allows drivers to receive warnings even when a hazard cannot yet be detected by cameras or is hidden from view. For example, the system can alert drivers about sudden braking ahead, an approaching emergency vehicle, a wrong-way vehicle or a possible forward collision before the situation becomes visible. MoRTH says the technology is intended to work alongside ADAS rather than replace it, improving overall road safety and supporting future connected mobility systems.

Implementation challenges

The proposal will require manufacturers to integrate and test V2V systems across different models while ensuring they work with vehicles from other brands. This cross-brand compatibility will be one of the biggest technical challenges before the mandate comes into effect.

Earlier estimates suggested that the required hardware could increase vehicle prices by around Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000, although the current draft does not mention the additional cost. As vehicles begin sharing real-time information, manufacturers will also need to ensure strong cybersecurity and data protection measures.

Earlier this year, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said V2V technology would allow vehicles to communicate with each other in a manner similar to how pilots exchange information. While the technology has been under development globally for many years, large-scale adoption is still limited in most markets.

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