Saar: Automakers in India currently use only 30 per cent galvanised steel for the domestic market.

The goal to make cars safer for the masses in India is clearly gathering pace. We’ve already got Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) in its final development phase. Additionally, new safety norms for cars will come into effect from next year, which will list the basic set of features that all new cars should have to become eligible for sale in India. Now, according to a report, the government is analysing the proposal, which has come from the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH), of increasing the use of galvanised steel in car body structures.

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Galvanisation is essentially the process of coating the steel with zinc. This treatment makes the steel less vulnerable to corrosion, making the overall structure of the car much safer. Presently, automakers in India use only 30 per cent galvanised steel for the domestic market. That treatment figure shoots up to 70 per cent if a model has to be exported. The global average of use of galvanised steel in cars is around 50 per cent.

The proposal for increasing the use of zinc-coated steel in cars is based on a study conducted by IIT – Mumbai in the year 2015. That study highlighted the fact that corrosion of steel has a considerable impact on the durability and safety of cars in India. The government has appointed Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) to study the proposal and prepare a report. It is currently unclear as to when the report will showcase its findings.

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The increased use of galvanised steel, if mandated, pertains to only those cars manufactured in India which cost less than Rs 10 lakh. This is mentioned under the corrosion prevention rule for motor vehicles.

Source: ETAuto