Exclusive: ARAI giving Special Consideration to Quadricycles; Might give clearance on 11th March

Quadricycle is not a familiar term in India, but ever since Bajaj introduced its RE60, a lot of has been written and spoken about it. Basically, a Quadricycle is a motorized light vehicle that is mostly used as a leisure vehicle. As far, the Quadricycles are not legal in India and therefore Bajaj is trying hard to get an approval on its much hyped Quadricycle. Our close sources in the industry confirmed that a meeting has been called by ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) on 11th March to carry out the necessary amendments for the Quadricycles.

For the aforementioned meeting, ARAI circulated an email to the heads of various industry verticals including the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT), International Centre for Automotive Technology (iCAT), Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA). The email outlines “while it will take considerable time to process amendments in the respective committees, the Ministry desires that a panel should work out on the summary of changes required and bring up the proposal / recommendations to CMVR-TSC so that the subject could be taken forward.”

Now, the question arises that why ARAI is fast forwarding the process, as the general practice suggest that the various aspects of a motor vehicle is normally examined by the respective committees of Automotive Industry Standard Committee. The biggest irony in this whole process is that the committee wants to emulate the European standards of the Quadricycles in India. The European standards do not meet the basic or minimum standards that are applicable to a car in India. There are at least 40 critical safety features, applicable to passenger cars in India, which will be compromised if the Indian Quadricycle emulates the European Quadricycle. This will make Quadricycles vulnerable to fatal accidents. It might be recalled that in Europe, the Quadricycle’s use is limited to a leisure vehicle and not as a mass transport vehicle. Not too many are seen on the road primarily because of the safety aspect, leading to a dip in sales over the years.

In Europe, the sales of Quadricycles have seen a decline as a result of increased awareness of their inferior occupant safety compared to normal cars. They are currently used either by the very elderly or the very young who do not qualify for regular car driving licenses. In a country that witnesses close to 1.5 lakh deaths every year in road accidents, the Quadricycle will further deteriorate road safety in India. Studies show the fatality risk in a Quadricycle is 10 to 14 times higher than a car.

Moreover, there are only two possible contenders for the proposed Quadricycles as of now, first is Bajaj with its RE60 and another is Polaris ATVs. While the later is acceptable as these are leisure vehicles and will be limited in numbers. But, as proposed the RE60 will be used in public transport and is suppose to garner bigger sales number than any other vehicle at present, so the rate of fatality will increase drastically.

So, here arise a question that why a "small working group" is formed to work out a summary of changes required and bring up the proposal/ recommendations to Central Motor Vehicle Rules –Technical Standing Committee (CMRV – TSC), so that the subject could be taken forward. The meeting of this working group will be held on 11th March 2014 at 10.00 am at Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) which is expected to continue for the full day.