You probably have come across or drove an EV before and well its a quiet car. However, there are new rules put in place to install artificial noise devices to notify pedestrians of an approaching EV. All new electric vehicles must be fitted with a noise-emitting device to warn other road users of their presence. This follows concern that electric cars and vans are too quiet, putting pedestrians, cyclists, and others at risk because they do not realize they are approaching.
All new types of four-wheel eco-friendly vehicles must be fitted with the device, which sounds like a traditional engine. From 2021, all electric cars must have an acoustic vehicle alert system, not just new models. The device must be activated when a vehicle is reversing or traveling below 12mph, but the driver will have the power to deactivate it.
This applies whenever the vehicle is driving below 19km/h (12MPH). The system will theoretically prevent pedestrians and cyclists from being caught unawares by cars that would otherwise be near-silent. It’s not a particularly irksome sound, but it could stop you from crossing the street when there’s a less-than-attentive driver.
All new EVs, including those from existing lineups, will have to include noisemakers by 2021. Cars already on the streets are likely to get retrofits. This could increase practical safety and help EVs gain acceptance from people worried they could become hazards.
