New Vehicle Rules From October 2026: EV Sound Alerts, Car Cybersecurity and What Changes Next

October 2026 marks the start of a new wave of vehicle safety rules in India. The one that is actually law today is simple: every new electric car, bus or goods vehicle model approved from 1 October 2026 must make a sound at low speeds so that pedestrians can hear it coming. Two bigger changes, car cybersecurity and vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communication, are still drafts, but their dates are already set in the proposals. Here is a plain guide to what is final, what is proposed, and what it means for your next car or bike.

Which vehicle rules start from 1 October 2026?

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) notified the Central Motor Vehicles (First Amendment) Rules, 2026 on 6 January 2026 (G.S.R. 07(E)), after taking public comments on a draft published in September 2025. It makes an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) compulsory for electrified vehicles in categories M and N, which covers passenger cars, buses and goods vehicles.

• New EV models: must have AVAS from 1 October 2026.
• Existing EV models: must comply from 1 October 2027.
• Standard: sound levels must meet AIS-173 until a matching BIS standard is notified.

The draft cybersecurity rule also names 1 October 2026 for new models with Level 3 automation, but that rule was still a draft at the time of writing, and no car on sale in India today offers Level 3 driving. For a regular buyer, AVAS is the change you will actually hear.

What is AVAS and why do electric cars need it?

Electric motors are almost silent at walking pace. On a crowded Indian street, in a parking lot or in a narrow lane, a pedestrian, cyclist or elderly person may simply not hear an EV rolling up behind them. AVAS uses an external speaker to play an artificial sound that changes with speed and is most active when the vehicle is moving slowly or reversing.

India is catching up with global practice here. The European Union, the United States and Japan already require similar sound systems on electric and hybrid vehicles, so global EV makers already know how to build and tune these systems.

Does AVAS apply to electric scooters and bikes?

No. The notified rule targets categories M and N, so electric two-wheelers are not covered by this mandate. Riders still need to stay alert and visible. A clear, loud horn and working lights matter, and for bike owners who park outdoors, a sturdy helmet lock keeps your helmet with your bike instead of in your hand.

Which new vehicle rules are final and which are still drafts?

What does the car cybersecurity rule (AIS-189) actually require?

Modern cars run on dozens of electronic control units, connected apps and over the air (OTA) updates. MoRTH's draft of 22 June 2026 adds two new rules: Rule 125-T on cybersecurity, based on AIS-189, and Rule 125-U on software updates, based on AIS-190. Carmakers would need a certified Cyber Security Management System (CSMS), which is a structured process to find and fix security risks through the vehicle's whole life.

• Level 3 automated vehicles: new models from 1 October 2026, existing models from 1 April 2027 (as proposed).
• OTA-capable vehicles: phased in during 2028, as reported by Autocar Professional.
• All vehicles that can receive software updates: by 1 October 2029.

This mirrors the UN regulations (R155 and R156) already used in the European Union, Japan and South Korea. The draft was open for 30 days of public comment. At the time of writing, a final notification has not been published, so these dates could still change.

What is V2V communication and when will it become mandatory?

Vehicle to vehicle communication lets nearby vehicles share speed, position, direction and braking data in real time, even around a blind corner. The draft AIS-230 standard calls for a factory fitted On-Board Unit using C-V2X radio in the 5.875 to 5.925 GHz band, which the Department of Telecommunications made licence exempt in June 2026.

• 1 October 2027: any vehicle that is fitted with V2V must meet AIS-230.
• 1 October 2028: V2V becomes mandatory on newly made L, M and N category vehicles, which includes two-wheelers, cars and commercial vehicles.
• First safety features: emergency brake alert, forward collision warning, wrong way driving alert and emergency vehicle alert.

Will these rules make cars and bikes more expensive?

Some, yes. AVAS is a small external speaker plus software already built for export markets, so the price impact should be small. V2V is a bigger question. Earlier industry assessments quoted by Autocar India put an On-Board Unit at around Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000 per vehicle, while the draft itself does not address cost. That is easy to absorb on a Rs 20 lakh SUV but a real jump on an entry level commuter bike.

A PolicyCircle analysis also points out that V2V was built for lane-disciplined roads, while Indian carriageways mix cars, autos, bikes, tractors and pedestrians, and that no regulatory impact assessment has been published for the cost to small vehicles.

What should car and bike buyers do right now?

If you are buying an EV this festive season, ask the dealer whether the model has AVAS and whether it is a new or existing homologation. Existing models have until October 2027, so a car without it is still legal to sell today. For petrol, diesel and CNG buyers, nothing changes on 1 October 2026.

Rules take years to reach every vehicle on the road, so evidence and upkeep still matter most. A 2K dash camera records exactly what happened if there is a dispute on the road, and correct tyre pressure from a portable tyre inflator does more for everyday braking than most gadgets. Keeping sensors and vents clean with a cordless air duster helps too.

AUTOFY PICK Road safety starts with a clear record While V2V and cyber rules are still years away for most cars, a dash cam protects you today. The Autofy V12 records in 2K so number plates and signals stay readable when it matters. Autofy V12 2K Dash Camera • Rs 2,499 View on Autofy →

Picking up a new car for Dussehra or Diwali? A quick clean with a wet and dry car vacuum and a hanging car perfume keep the cabin fresh long after the delivery photo.

Key takeaways

• AVAS is the only rule here that is final: new electric car, bus and truck models need it from 1 October 2026, all models from 1 October 2027.
• Electric scooters and bikes are not covered by the AVAS notification.
• The AIS-189 cybersecurity and AIS-190 software update rules are drafts, phased from 2026 (Level 3 only) to 2029.
• V2V (AIS-230) is a draft that would be mandatory on new two-wheelers, cars and CVs from 1 October 2028.
• ABS on every two-wheeler was proposed for January 2026 but a deferral was reported; it is not in force yet.

Frequently asked questions