India Proposes New Rules for Hydrogen Cars and Safer Two-Wheelers: A Long Overdue Shift?

SUMMARY

• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has released draft amendments targeting hydrogen fuel vehicles and two-wheeler safety.
• Key proposals include new registration display norms for hydrogen cars and mandatory ABS and helmets for bikes.
• The public has 30 days to submit objections before the rules are finalized in the Gazette.

The Push Toward Cleaner and Safer Roads: Is It Finally Happening?

In a notable step forward for both environmental and road safety reform, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has released two draft notifications proposing changes to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The first aims to regularize hydrogen-fueled vehicles, and the second seeks to significantly raise safety standards for two-wheelers—arguably the most vulnerable segment in India’s traffic ecosystem.

These proposals signal a dual agenda: embracing clean energy while simultaneously responding to the country’s growing toll of two-wheeler-related fatalities. India, which consistently ranks among the highest in road accident deaths globally, faces mounting pressure to bring its vehicular norms in line with international standards.

Yet the real question isn’t just whether these new rules are necessary—they clearly are—but whether this is a symbolic gesture or a genuine structural shift. As the country opens the 30-day public consultation window, the debate now shifts from bureaucratic corridors to the streets.

#WATCH | Govt gears up to roll out special number plates for hydrogen-powered vehicles! Road Ministry proposes new HSRP color scheme. @sameerdixit16 with the latest update. #GreenMobility #HydrogenVehicles pic.twitter.com/ER0CXs4Zb4

— ET NOW (@ETNOWlive) June 27, 2025

Decoding the Hydrogen Vehicle Push: Symbolism or Real Reform?

India’s journey toward alternative fuels has primarily been dominated by electric vehicles, with hydrogen remaining a lesser-discussed option—until now. By introducing a distinct regulation specifically for hydrogen-fueled vehicles, the government appears to be acknowledging hydrogen’s potential in decarbonizing sectors that EVs struggle to penetrate, such as heavy transport and commercial fleets.

The proposed amendment to Rule 50 introduces sub-rule (2B), which will define how registration plates for hydrogen-powered vehicles should be exhibited. While the draft does not spell out the format yet, it is likely to mirror color-coded trends—similar to green plates for EVs.

While symbolic for now, this move could lay the groundwork for future subsidies, infrastructure investment, and vehicle categories centered around hydrogen mobility. But a major concern remains: without a national hydrogen refueling infrastructure or domestic fuel cell manufacturing scale, is this regulation ahead of its time?

Two-Wheeler Safety: Helmet Mandate and ABS—Too Little, Too Late?

India’s two-wheeler sector—while a pillar of personal transport for millions—is also its most accident-prone. The proposed draft notifications directly address this, aiming to improve rider survival rates by mandating two key safety measures.

First, from January 1, 2026, ABS will be compulsory for all L2 category vehicles, which primarily includes scooters and motorcycles. ABS reduces the risk of skidding during sudden braking, a common cause of serious injuries in urban collisions.

Second, manufacturers will have to supply two Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)-certified helmets with each two-wheeler purchase, marking a shift from helmet enforcement as a user responsibility to a manufacturer’s legal duty.

Critics argue these measures should have been introduced a decade ago. India reports more than 70,000 two-wheeler deaths annually, and helmet compliance remains abysmal in Tier 2 and 3 cities. Will manufacturer-supplied helmets solve the problem, or simply meet a box-checking requirement?

Public Consultation or Public Apathy?

The timing of these amendments is not accidental. With rising urban air pollution and consistent media focus on road fatalities, the government is under both public and judicial pressure to act. However, success depends not just on rule-making, but on rule-enforcement—a historical weakness in India’s traffic ecosystem.

The public consultation period provides an opportunity for stakeholders—riders, manufacturers, environmentalists, and citizen groups—to influence the final form of these regulations. But India’s regulatory history shows that meaningful participation is rare unless catalyzed by court rulings or public outrage.

Without robust enforcement, helmet giveaways could become marketing gimmicks and ABS mandates might get diluted through lobbying. Similarly, hydrogen regulations may linger in the aspirational zone without complementary investments in refueling stations and subsidies for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Final Lane: Regulation Is Welcome, But It Needs Traction

This dual-pronged draft regulation—targeting futuristic hydrogen cars and immediate two-wheeler safety—marks a rare moment of ambition from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. But policy drafting is the easy part. The real test lies in execution, stakeholder engagement, and enforcement.

Hydrogen vehicles need ecosystem-scale investments, not just license plate rules. Two-wheeler safety needs cultural transformation and strict checks, not just manufacturer obligations. For once, the government seems willing to take bold steps—but unless these rules are backed with political will, ground-level monitoring, and funding, India might still be years away from safer streets and cleaner skies.