Government may force automakers to use 70 per cent galvanised steel in car body

KOLKATA: The road transport and highways ministry is proposing to make it mandatory for automobile manufacturers to use 70% galvanised steel for car body panels, according to a senior official. Galvanisation, or coating with zinc, makes steel less prone to corrosion, which in turn makes structures safer.

Automakers in India use only 30% galvanised steel for vehicles to be sold in the domestic market, but the percentage rises to 70% for the same model if it is for export, according to a ministry note, a copy of which is with ET. The global average is 50%. The proposal — under corrosion prevention rule for motor vehicles — pertains to cars made in India and costing less than Rs 10 lakh.

It is based on a study conducted by IIT-Mumbai in 2015 which pointed to corrosion affecting durability and safety of cars in India. The ministry has asked the Automotive Research Association of India, Pune, and the International Centre for Automotive Technology, Manesar, to study the proposal and prepare a report, the official cited earlier said, requesting not to be named. Another top official at the ministry said, “We keep getting a number of proposals and we do seek expert opinion of testing agencies.” According to a technical expert at the ministry, the move is part of the ministry’s thrust to establish standards that will enhance road safety.