Construction Electric Vehicles to Follow New Safety Rules from October 1

NEW DELHI: The Centre is set to implement stricter safety standards on electric construction equipment as the industry gears up for a green transition.

• New Rules Proposed by MoRTH
• Amendment to Motor Vehicles Rules
• Government's Preemptive Step

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed new rules that will require all electric construction vehicles. This includes dumpers and excavators, to meet stringent safety standards from October 1, 2024.

Amendment to Motor Vehicles Rules

A draft notification published on August 14 proposes an amendment to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The amendment will introduce a new rule, 125-O, mandating compliance with the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 174. This standard covers battery safety, electrical systems, and overall vehicle construction.

“Electric Power Train Construction Equipment Vehicles… shall meet requirements as specified in AIS174, till the corresponding Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications are notified under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016,” the draft rules stated.

Push for Electric Vehicles

This move is part of India's push for electric vehicles in various sectors. The government is considering including electric construction equipment in its Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles-III (FAME-III) scheme. It aims to offer subsidies for electric vehicles.

The new safety regulations aim to protect both workers on construction sites and the public. While the electric construction vehicle market is still in its infancy, the government seeks to establish strong safety norms.
 

Government's Preemptive Step

A senior government official noted that the new rules are being introduced as major companies begin rolling out electric dumpers, earth-moving equipment, and other construction vehicles.
 

“We want OEMs to launch vehicles equipped with all necessary safety standards. Furthermore, to qualify for government subsidies, OEMs will have to meet these safety requirements,” the official said.
 

The introduction of these safety standards is a preemptive step to ensure the sector’s safety as the electric construction vehicle market expands.

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