India's Bharat Vecto truck efficiency tool targets Feb 2027 launch

India's first certification tool for measuring the fuel efficiency and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions of medium and heavy commercial vehicles is likely to be ready by December, with a launch targeted for February 2027 at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo, government officials told Business Standard.

The Automotive Research Association of India (Arai), which works under the ministry of heavy industries, has completed field trials and data collection on all 16 diesel-run vehicles being tested for the project. Input generation for four proof-of-concept vehicles is also finished, officials said. A beta version of the tool, called Bharat Vecto, was targeted for release to manufacturers by July for evaluation and feedback, though it is not clear whether that deadline was met.

Arai is also developing eight standardised operating patterns known as mission profiles, designed to capture differences in speed, load, route and driving conditions specific to India. These profiles were also targeted for completion by July. The tool will use a vehicle's technical specifications, engine, transmission, weight, tyres and other characteristics, to simulate performance over these patterns and calculate fuel consumption and CO₂ output.

A draft notification on Bharat Vecto has been submitted to the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) for consideration. Arai is also preparing AIS 248, an Automotive Industry Standard that will set out the technical methodology and requirements for the tool. A senior MoRTH official suggested to Arai that implementing the tool for heavy-duty vehicles could align with Bharat Stage-VII, the next stage of India's vehicle emission norms expected to roll out from mid-2027, officials said.