India’s Push for Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication: How V2V Tech Could Transform Road Safety by 2026

India is preparing to introduce Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication technology across its road network by the end of 2026 — a move the government believes could significantly reduce accidents, especially those caused by poor visibility, high speeds and human error. The plan, announced after a meeting of State Road Transport Ministers, signals a shift from passive safety measures to real-time, preventive road safety systems.

What is V2V communication and how does it work?

Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication allows cars, buses and trucks to “talk” directly to each other by exchanging signals in real time. Unlike navigation apps or cloud-based systems, V2V does not rely on mobile networks or internet connectivity. Instead, each vehicle will be fitted with a dedicated device — similar in form to a SIM card — that constantly broadcasts and receives safety-related data.

This includes information on speed, direction, braking and proximity. When another vehicle comes dangerously close, the system instantly sends alerts to the driver, allowing precious seconds to react and avoid a collision.

Why the government sees it as a road safety game-changer

India has one of the world’s highest road accident fatalities, with rear-end collisions, fog-related pileups and crashes into stationary vehicles being recurring causes. According to Union Road Transport and Highways Minister “Nitin Gadkari”, V2V technology is expected to be particularly effective in:

• Preventing crashes with parked or stranded vehicles on highways
• Avoiding multi-vehicle pileups during dense winter fog
• Reducing high-speed rear-end collisions

In fog-prone regions of north India, visibility often drops to near zero, making conventional driver judgement unreliable. V2V alerts, officials argue, can compensate for this by warning drivers even when the road ahead cannot be seen.

360-degree alerts and real-time warnings

One of the key features of the proposed system is full 360-degree communication. Vehicles will receive alerts from all sides — front, rear and flanks — rather than only from forward-facing sensors.

The system will warn drivers about:

• Unsafe distance from nearby vehicles
• Fast-approaching vehicles from behind
• Stationary or slow-moving vehicles by the roadside

This makes the technology useful not just on highways, but also in congested urban conditions where blind spots and sudden braking are common.

How it fits with ADAS and modern vehicles

V2V communication will work alongside Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which are already present in some premium cars and SUVs. While ADAS relies on cameras, radar and sensors within the vehicle, V2V adds an external layer of awareness by allowing vehicles to “see” beyond line-of-sight and sensor limitations.

Officials say existing vehicles with ADAS will be aligned with the new system after rollout, ensuring compatibility rather than duplication. The combination could enable faster, more accurate warnings than sensor-only systems.

The cost, rollout plan and regulatory timeline

According to “Ministry of Road Transport and Highways” officials, the project is expected to cost around ₹5,000 crore. While consumers will bear part of the cost, the exact pricing per vehicle has not yet been disclosed.

The ministry plans to notify the technology by the end of 2026, after which implementation will begin in phases. Initially, the system will be mandatory only for new vehicles, with older vehicles possibly being retrofitted later.

Beyond V2V: bus safety and systemic reform

The V2V announcement comes alongside a broader push on vehicle safety standards. Minister Gadkari highlighted the importance of the Bus Body Code, noting that poor bus design had contributed to at least six major accidents resulting in 135 deaths.

To address this, the government plans to equip existing buses with additional safety features, including:

• Fire extinguishers
• Drowsiness detection systems for drivers
• Emergency hammers for passengers

Road Transport Secretary “V Umashankar” described the V2V initiative as a major leap, noting that only a handful of countries currently deploy such technology at scale.

Why this matters in the Indian context

Globally, V2V systems are seen as a foundation for safer, semi-autonomous transport ecosystems. In India, however, their significance is amplified by mixed traffic conditions, variable road quality and high accident rates.

If implemented effectively, V2V could reduce dependence on driver reflexes alone and introduce a cooperative safety layer across vehicles — one that works even when visibility, infrastructure or enforcement falls short. For a country struggling with preventable road deaths, the success or failure of this rollout could shape the next phase of India’s road safety story.