Key highlights
- GNCAP updates ESC as a mandate for all cars
- Cars without ESC to get 1-star by default
- Side-head protection is mandated for the side pole test
Global NCAP safety test agency has updated its car testing rulebook from August 2025. The new rules have been added to make modern cars safer.
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GNCAP’s new ESC rule explained
Making a smart move to enhance passenger car safety, Global NCAP has now mandated the ESC or electronic stability control for every car manufacturer sending its models for testing.
As per the official details released, the ESC was mandated to score at least 3 stars or higher until now. Coming into effect from August 2025, all cars, irrespective of the variant, shall now be fitted with the ESC to score more than 1 star.
Meanwhile, GNCAP has also made it mandatory for the cars to have a side-head protection to participate in a side pole crash impact test. If not equipped, then the car will not be eligible for this test.
Moreover, the addition of the ESC shall now be done as ‘stand-alone’. Earlier, car makers used to compile the ESC as part of any other feature. This shall not be entertained from now on, as all the variants are now mandated to get a stand-alone unit only.
