KATHMANDU: Car mileage testing with the air-conditioning system switched on will become mandatory in India from October 2026. Carmakers will be required to disclose fuel efficiency figures with and without AC usage.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed new rules to make mileage figures more realistic. Under the new regulation, automakers must test fuel consumption with the AC both switched on and off.
According to a recent government notification, all passenger vehicles in the M1 category; including petrol, diesel, and electric vehicles, manufactured or imported on or after October 1, 2026, must undergo fuel consumption testing with the air-conditioning system in operation.
The testing will be conducted as per AIS-213 standards, as amended from time to time.
At present, official mileage figures are calculated with the air conditioner turned off. Once the new rule comes into effect, carmakers will be required to publish mileage figures for both conditions in vehicle user manuals and on their official websites.
AIS-213 specifies procedures for measuring fuel consumption and emissions when the AC is operational. The standard accounts for the additional load placed on the powertrain by the air-conditioning system and its impact on fuel use and emissions.
