India Mandates V2V Communication for Vehicles by 2028

The bigger challenge is interoperability. Vehicles from different manufacturers must speak the same protocol so safety messages are understood uniformly. Cybersecurity is another concern – constant wireless data exchange demands robust encryption and authentication to prevent hacking.

India also needs a strong testing and certification ecosystem before vehicles hit the road. The phased approach – voluntary from Oct. 1, 2027, mandatory from Oct. 1, 2028 – is intended to give manufacturers, suppliers, and testing agencies time to prepare.

Adoption curve and global context

V2V becomes more effective as more vehicles carry it. In the early years, millions of older vehicles without the capability will remain on Indian roads. The full safety benefits will emerge only over time as the fleet turns over.

The technology has been tested or rolled out in the U.S., China, Japan, and the European Union. The EU promotes V2V through its Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems framework. China has run large-scale C-V2X trials across several cities. Japan's ITS Connect system operates on selected highways, warning drivers about emergency vehicles and red-light violations. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has backed deployment, with several automakers already integrating connected vehicle tech into production models.

India records among the world's highest road accident fatalities each year. Connected vehicle technology offers a new layer of protection beyond better roads, safer vehicles, and stricter enforcement. The mandate covers categories L, M, and N – two-wheelers, passenger vehicles, and commercial vehicles.

Over time, V2V is expected to evolve into vehicle-to-everything communication, letting cars interact with traffic signals, roadside infrastructure, and emergency response systems. That could improve traffic management, reduce congestion, and support higher levels of automation.

For now, the clock starts ticking. Voluntary compliance begins Oct. 1, 2027. Mandatory compliance follows a year later.