NEW DELHI: From October 2025 onwards, all new trucks will be required to have factory-fitted AC cabins for drivers as the road transport ministry has made this mandatory. The government finally notified the implementation date after several back and forth exercises in the past five years.
In a gazette notification issued on Friday night, the ministry said, “…the vehicles manufactured on or after October 1, 2025 shall be fitted with an air-conditioning system for the cabin of vehicles of N2 and N3 category”.The testing of the cabin fitted with the air-conditioning system will be as per the notified automotive standards, it said.
N2 and N3 categories of vehicles are commercial trucks.
In July this year, the ministry had issued a draft notification proposing to implement this from January 2025, but after consultation with the stakeholders, the implementation date was set on October 1, 2025.
Welcoming the new norm, road safety expert Rohit Baluja said, “The ergonomics, comfort and safety of the truck and bus drivers should be of paramount importance. There is a need to ensure that they are paid well and get better status considering the crucial role they play in economic activities.”
The new norm will also pave the way for truck manufacturers to sell the chassis with the cabin having AC systems. At present, vehicle body builders fit the cabin. Since the AC system will require modifications, including of the vehicle dashboard, these would have to be fitted in by the manufacturers themselves.
A survey of truck drivers across 10 states in 2020 by a non-profit organisation had found that almost half of the respondents admitted to driving vehicles even if they are feeling fatigued or sleepy.
In a gazette notification issued on Friday night, the ministry said, “…the vehicles manufactured on or after October 1, 2025 shall be fitted with an air-conditioning system for the cabin of vehicles of N2 and N3 category”.The testing of the cabin fitted with the air-conditioning system will be as per the notified automotive standards, it said.
N2 and N3 categories of vehicles are commercial trucks.
In July this year, the ministry had issued a draft notification proposing to implement this from January 2025, but after consultation with the stakeholders, the implementation date was set on October 1, 2025.
Welcoming the new norm, road safety expert Rohit Baluja said, “The ergonomics, comfort and safety of the truck and bus drivers should be of paramount importance. There is a need to ensure that they are paid well and get better status considering the crucial role they play in economic activities.”
The new norm will also pave the way for truck manufacturers to sell the chassis with the cabin having AC systems. At present, vehicle body builders fit the cabin. Since the AC system will require modifications, including of the vehicle dashboard, these would have to be fitted in by the manufacturers themselves.
A survey of truck drivers across 10 states in 2020 by a non-profit organisation had found that almost half of the respondents admitted to driving vehicles even if they are feeling fatigued or sleepy.
