Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) and V2X Technology in India: Road Safety, Challenges & Way Forward

30 Apr 2026

India’s road safety crisis, highlighted by the Supreme Court of India under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, underscores the urgent need to adopt technologies like V2X alongside strong regulatory and policy support.

The Bloody Reality of Indian Roads

India’s Road Accident Crisis India faces a stark disparity in road safety; while the country accounts for only 1% of the world’s vehicle traffic, it suffers 11% of global road accident deaths.
SC Suo Moto Cognisance The Supreme Court has taken suo moto cognisance (self-initiated notice) of this crisis based on various reports highlighting the threat to human life on Indian roads.
State Proactive Duty Under Article 21 of the Constitution, the Fundamental Right to Life includes the right to safe roads.
- While ensuring road safety is primarily the government’s responsibility, the judiciary has intervened through judicial activism to expand the horizon of Article 21, making road safety a mandatory state duty.

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V2X – Vehicle to Everything

What is V2V?

Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication involves the real-time exchange of information between vehicles regarding their relative position, speed, and movement.
This allows drivers to be aware of other vehicles’ intentions, such as overtaking, thereby avoiding risky maneuvers and accidents.
Spectrum Used This technology operates on the 5.9 GHz band, which facilitates the high-speed signal communication required for real-time safety alerts.

Three Pillars of V2X Technology

V2V (Vehicle to Vehicle): Real-time communication between cars, trucks, and buses.
V2I (Vehicle to Infrastructure): Communication with road infrastructure like toll plazas, sensors, and traffic lights to optimize speed and fuel efficiency.
V2P (Vehicle to Pedestrian): Communication between vehicles and pedestrians’ smartphones to ensure safe road crossing.

The Language Problem – DSRC vs. C-V2X

What is Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC)?

It is a specialized hardware-based technology installed in vehicles.
Mechanism: It is a complete Wi-Fi based system that does not require the internet, ensuring very high speeds and reliability.
Limitation: It has a limited range and requires the development of separate, specialized hardware for every vehicle.

C-V2X (Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything):

Unlike DSRC, C-V2X uses existing 4G or 5G mobile networks.
Benefits: It offers a much wider range, uses existing infrastructure, and features better interoperability.
Drawback: It may suffer from higher latency (slight delays) and potential “packet loss” during transitions between network towers (handoffs).

Why India is Not Ready – Chicken & Egg Problem?

The primary hurdle is the lack of set standards. Manufacturers are hesitant to develop and install V2X devices because there is no standardized protocol.

Challenges

Challenge I: Economic Burden – New technology is expensive at the outset. Without high adoption rates (scale), manufacturers cannot offer products at low prices, creating a financial barrier for consumers.
Challenge II: Driver Training Deficit – Many drivers, particularly commercial truck drivers, may not be equipped to quickly interpret and act upon dash-board alerts generated by these nodes.
Challenge III: Cyber Security – Because communication is wireless, there is a risk of hacking. A 2015 incident in the USA showed a hacked Jeep becoming “unbreakable” at high speeds, demonstrating the potential for deadly outcomes.
Challenge IV: Mixed Traffic Ecosystem – Indian roads are unique, featuring a mix of high-speed vehicles, e-rickshaws, bullock carts, pedestrians, and even stray animals, making it difficult to equip every “element” of the traffic with communication technology.

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Way Forward: 4-Point Phased Roadmap

Pilot Projects: Initiate V2X technology on specific high-controlled corridors, such as the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, to test its success before a national rollout.
Government Subsidies: The government should intervene by providing subsidies to manufacturers and early adopters to break the “Chicken & Egg” cycle and reduce the initial economic burden.
Mandatory Driver Training: Establish rigorous training programs specifically for commercial drivers to ensure they can effectively utilize the real-time data provided by V2V systems.
Immediate Standardization: The government must finalize the choice between DSRC and C-V2X standards. Clear standards will foster innovation, encourage competition among companies, and eventually lead to price reductions and better productivity.