1. india Is Requiring Electric vehicles to Make Artificial Sounds
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in india has introduced new regulations that will mandate Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS) on electric cars and other EVs. These systems produce artificial warning sounds to alert pedestrians and road users.
2. Why This Rule Is Being Introduced
Electric cars are very quiet — especially at slow speeds — because they don’t have loud combustion engines. While this is good for reducing noise pollution, it creates safety risks: pedestrians and cyclists may not notice a silent EV approaching. The artificial sounds help improve road safety.
3. When the New Sound Rule Takes Effect
There’s a phased timeline for compliance:
- 🟡 October 1, 2026 — All new EV models must have AVAS installed.
- 🔵 October 1, 2027 — All existing EV models must also be fitted with the system.
These deadlines give automakers time to update their designs.
4. Which vehicles Must Have AVAS
The mandate covers a broad range of electric vehicles:
- Passenger cars
- Buses
- Trucks
- Commercial electric vehicles
- E‑rickshaws and e‑karts
(Various vehicle categories like M and N, and others like L5 and L7 are included.)
5. What the AVAS Sound Does
AVAS systems use external speakers to generate sounds:
- The sound varies with vehicle speed
- Usually active at low speeds or when reversing
- Helps alert pedestrians, cyclists, and visually impaired people that the EV is approaching
This sound is artificial — not from the engine — and is designed for safety.
6. Alignment with Global Practices
India’s policy aligns with other countries that already require electric vehicles to emit warning sounds — such as the U.S., european union, and Japan — to enhance safety for pedestrians and other road users.
7. Impact on Manufacturers and Users
- Automakers must integrate AVAS into EV designs, or update existing models.
- The new requirement could slightly increase manufacturing costs, which may be passed to buyers.
- However, it’s expected to reduce pedestrian accidents by making EVs easier to detect
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