Centre Proposes Mandatory AC On Fuel Economy Testing for Cars

A recent report states that in an effort to offer car buyers more realistic fuel efficiency and range figures, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed mandatory mileage testing with the air-conditioning system both switched on and off.

The draft regulation will apply to all passenger cars, including internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles, manufactured or imported in India from October 1, 2026.

As part of the proposal, carmakers and importers will also be required to disclose fuel efficiency or energy consumption figures for both AC-on and AC-off conditions in the vehicle owner’s manual and on their official websites.

At present, manufacturers publish mileage figures based on tests conducted without the air-conditioning in use, arguing that this follows prevailing European testing norms. But, these declared mileage figures often differ quite a bit from what users experience on the road, largely because AC load is excluded from testing.

The ministry believes the new requirement will improve transparency and enable customers to make more informed buying decisions. Government officials have pointed out that this gap between certified and real-world performance has been a long-standing concern among consumers.

According to the draft notification, all M1 category vehicles will have to undergo fuel consumption testing with the air-conditioning system operational, in line with AIS-213 standards, as amended from time to time.

AIS-213 provides detailed procedures for measuring emissions and fuel consumption with the AC system running. It captures the additional fuel use and emissions generated by the air-conditioning load, which can meaningfully influence both efficiency and pollution levels.

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