Automotive Terminology for Indian Buyers: Glossary
By the Bharat Auto Insights Editorial Team · Last reviewed 17 October 2026
This glossary explains the terms you will meet in brochures, showrooms and on paperwork when buying a car, motorcycle or EV in India. Terms are grouped by topic.
Pricing and paperwork
Ex-showroom price
The vehicle price before registration, road tax and insurance.
On-road price
The total you pay to drive away, including RTO charges, road tax, insurance and other fees.
RC (Registration Certificate)
The official document proving the vehicle is registered and identifying its owner.
PUC
Pollution Under Control certificate, required for combustion vehicles.
Hypothecation
A lender's claim noted on the RC when a vehicle is bought on a loan.
Insurance
IDV
Insured Declared Value — roughly the vehicle's current market value used for claims.
NCB
No Claim Bonus — a discount on your premium for claim-free years.
Zero depreciation
An add-on that pays claims without deducting depreciation on parts.
Mechanical and safety
AMT / CVT / DCT
Types of automatic gearbox: automated manual, continuously variable and dual-clutch.
ABS / EBD
Anti-lock braking and electronic brake-force distribution.
CBS
Combined braking system on two-wheelers, applying both brakes together.
ESC
Electronic stability control, which helps prevent skids.
NCAP
New Car Assessment Programme — crash-test safety ratings.
ARAI figure
Fuel efficiency or range certified under standard test conditions.
Electric vehicles
kWh
Kilowatt-hour — the unit of battery capacity and energy used.
kW
Kilowatt — the unit of charging speed or motor power.
CCS2 / Type 2
The common DC fast-charging and AC charging connectors in India.
Regenerative braking
Recovering energy when slowing down to recharge the battery.
State of charge (SoC)
Battery level as a percentage.
Keep reading
Electric
EV guide
A practical guide to electric cars and scooters in India: running costs, charging at home and on the road, incentives, battery care and whether an EV suits you.
Money
Car loan options
Car and bike loans in India explained: banks vs NBFCs vs dealer finance, interest rates, tenure, down payment, processing fees and prepayment.
Money
Choosing car insurance
A step-by-step guide to choosing car insurance in India: policy types, IDV, add-ons worth paying for, No Claim Bonus, deductibles and renewal tips.
Cars
Car safety ratings explained
How Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP crash tests work, what adult and child occupant star ratings mean, and how to use them when buying a car in India.
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