US Government Says EVs Need to be Louder

[Ulrik]

The US government has stated that EV's are too quiet when traveling at slow speeds and that they pose a threat to pedestrians, especially the visually impaired, and cyclists.

To overcome this problem the Department of Transport has told EV manufacturers that they must install their vehicles with devices that emit an artificial noise when traveling at less than 18mph.

[Tom Hitchcock]

A quiet engine would be one of the nice things about driving an EV, but now they are deemed too quiet!!

Pedestrians should be aware when walking in the road, and as regards to concern for the visually impaired, what do the deaf and dumb do? They wouldn't be able to see or hear any car. You cannot provide for everyone.

[KitemanSA]

Stick a playing card in their spokes.

[Seabastian.Smith]

The new law allows the manufacturers to develop their own sounds. It would be interesting to know if the customers themselves could legally change the sounds of there cars, along as they emitted a noise above a certain decibel when travelling less than 18mph.

It could add a degree of fun to driving EVs if the owner had the chance to easily customise them in such a way.

It would be funny to make your EV sound like a truck, or a hairdryer, or the vacuum cleaner...but why stop there? how about a dog, or some chickens? getting stuid really, but it would make me chuckle...as long as I didnt have to hear it every day.

[KitemanSA]

Think ring tones on steroids. Yuck!

[Tom Hitchcock]

The crazy frog actually driving through the neighbour hood. God save us all!!