Tyre Star Rating System For India Coming Soon

In India, be it a cheap tyre or a premium category tyre, every other tyre brand claims to provide high fuel efficiency, wet grip and low road noise. In such a situation majority of the consumers find themselves in a situation of perplexity. Although, the educated buyers don’t fall into such gimmick. However, most of the tyre buyers, given their limited understanding of tyres and dealer pressure, end up buying a low-quality tyre.

In order to prevent consumers from falling into false claims and ensure more safety to the vehicles, the road transport ministry has proposed new norms for tyres used in car, buses and other heavy vehicles. If the proposal is implemented, India will soon see a ‘star rating’ or ‘labelling’ system like the European Union.

According to the proposal, before hitting the market, the tyres need to be tested for rolling resistance, wet grip and noise levels. The specifications under the new tyre norms will be rolled out in two parts. First, for all new models i.e. new launches, etc., it will be mandatory to get these norms integrated while manufacturing from October 2021. Second, the fresh production of the current tyre models will have to imbibe these norms from October 2022.

Let’s understand what these three parameters mean and how they affect the performance of a tyre:

Rolling Resistance:

The easy and low rolling of the tyre allows lesser friction and demands less energy from the engine to roll. With the least amount of energy pull required to roll the tyres, it results in better fuel efficiency of the vehicle. Besides, fuel savings, these energy-saving low rolling resistant tyres also call for reduced pollution levels.

Wet Grip:

The compound, contour and tread design are responsible for enhanced braking performance under wet situations. The right rubber compound and broad contact patch stick to the road adequately for better traction. While the suitable tread pattern of a tyre calls for rapid water channelling through its grooves maintaining constant contact with the road surface. The continuous grip on a wet surface translates into effective braking and shorter braking distance.

Noise Levels:

The tyre noise also referred to as road-noise, is the sound levels generated due to the tread pattern of a tyre. The tyre noise becomes annoying and at times intolerable when the vehicle is constantly driven at a specific speed, usually at high speeds on the highways. This irritating sound breaks into the car cabin and makes conversation or answering a call difficult for the driver, leading to distractions and safety concerns.

Such star rating or labelling system debuted in the European countries in 2016. With India getting this norm in 2021 it will enhance the safety and performance element of the tyres and allow customers to make an informed decision while buying tyres for their vehicle. However, compared to the developed infrastructure of European roads, for Indian roads, the tyres will have to go pass through extensive road tests on varied road surfaces to attain the said feats.

Can These Parameters Be Achieved in India?

As per leading tyre manufacturers and experts from the tyre domain out of three, the two mandatory compliance, rolling resistance and noise levels, can be easily achieved. This is because most of the tyre makers in India have a global presence and are obeying the regulations in European countries. However, the third one i.e. wet grip, poses a challenge – due to little or no availability of wet grip testing infrastructure in the country. The wet grip, which is directly related to the safety concern, is still at a concluding state with calibration in place.

Current Quality Control Mechanism in India:

When it comes to quality concern for the tyres, every tyre sold in India to get a Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) benchmark is mandatory under the Tyre Quality Control Order. But, this information of quality control is restricted to the tyre manufacturer only and is not passed on to the tyre buyer, which may help him make an informed decision during the purchase. Further, the BIS seal does not bring any liability to tyre makers with respect to failure or subsequent recall in the case. But these new norms will. The adoption of these international standards in the tyres will bring India a step closer to the tyre regulations in the United States, Australia, Europe, Japan and other developed markets.

Although to test tyres on these three parameters, the need for a larger and independent agency is desirable. As the tests cannot be performed internally, or in isolation especially after it becomes a mandatory norm by the government. Interestingly, of late, the leading tyre maker CEAT has introduced its own tyre label classification. Its SecuraDrive range of passenger car tyres displays all the three norms, however, it also mentions that these ratings are based upon the ‘internally’ conducted tests.

In another instance, Apollo Tyres has been provided with the NABL certification to conduct wet-grip and coast-by noise tests in the country. This makes Apollo Tyres the first tyre maker to be accredited by ISO/IEC 17025 for wet grip and coast by noise tyre tests on the track.