The disparity of ARAI claimed vs real world car mileage

One of the most prominent factors for Indian automobile buyers is the vehicle’s mileage. The higher the vehicle’s mileage, the more lucrative it becomes for the Indian consumer. Now mileage isn’t the only factor when it comes to buying a car, budget, body type, seating capacity, engine configuration etc. are also crucial. However, when it comes to comparing two similar vehicles with a similar configuration, mileage may become the deciding factor for many people.

What is mileage and why is it important?

The amount of distance that a vehicle can cover per unit of fuel is the number that denotes its mileage or fuel economy. For e.g., if your car is able to cover 17 kms for every litre of fuel consumed, your car’s mileage comes out to be 17 kilometres per litre, or 17 kmpl. The higher number of kilometres that your car can clock per litre of fuel, the higher its fuel efficiency, otherwise known as mileage. Mileage may vary from vehicle to vehicle, depending on driving conditions, such as city traffic, or smooth highway driving. The stop-and-go city traffic causes your car to achieve a lower mileage, whereas driving on the smooth highways at constant speeds helps achieve a higher mileage figure. Smoother driving inputs along with steady speed and acceleration will also lead to your car consuming less fuel.

ARAI claimed vs real world mileage

The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), established in 1966 by the automotive industry and government of India, is in charge of conducting automotive research and development. They are an authorised agency for testing and certifying vehicles, and engines for use in automotive and other applications. They are also involved with the testing of wheels, tyres, and glass for the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). 

ARAI conducts controlled assessments to evaluate the fuel efficiency of vehicles in India, leveraging a Chassis Dynamometer and simulation of road conditions. These benchmarks can then be used by manufacturers to state their vehicles’ mileage. However, it is important to note that the mileage achieved during a simulation vs the mileage in real world application will vary, depending on a number of factors. Driving conditions, slower or quicker acceleration, slow city traffic or fast highway traffic, all these conditions eventually affect the vehicle’s mileage.

Bogus claims or false advertising? One man raised the alarm, and won!

Mr Rajiv Sharma, a resident of Rohini, Delhi, was lured into buying a brand new Maruti Suzuki Zen in 2004, as he saw an advertisement that claimed the car’s mileage to be 16 - 18 kmpl. However, after acquiring the car and driving it for a while, the car was unable to provide the claimed mileage, and stood at merely 10.2 kmpl. Feeling cheated and deceived, Mr Sharma approached the city district forum and registered a case against the manufacturer. Upon investigation into the matter, Mr Sharma was deemed correct and MUL was asked to pay him a compensation of ₹ 1,00,000, winning him the case. 

Maruti Suzuki, unhappy with the district court’s decisions, filed an appeal with the state commission. However, the state commission upheld the district court’s decision Mr Sharma stood victorious in the matter. Even though there may be a disparity in the claimed mileage vs actual mileage of the car, a difference of 42% as was seen in the case, is unacceptable.