TL;DR
India's road transport ministry proposes mandatory AC-on mileage testing for all cars (ICE and EV) from October 2026, aiming for more realistic fuel efficiency figures and increased transparency.
In a significant move to ensure more realistic fuel efficiency figures for consumers, India's road transport ministry has proposed making it mandatory for all cars to undergo mileage testing with their air-conditioning (AC) systems both on and off. This regulation, applicable to all vehicles (ICE and EVs) manufactured or imported in India, is set to come into effect from October 1, 2026.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap between claimed and actual on-road performance, as AC usage substantially impacts fuel consumption and energy efficiency. Currently, manufacturers declare figures based on testing without AC, adhering to European norms. Under the new draft notification, car manufacturers and importers will be required to prominently display both AC-on and AC-off mileage figures in vehicle user manuals and on their websites, enhancing transparency for buyers.
