Skip to main content

Noise generators for electric cars

New rules in the US mean that electric vehicles will require noise generation equipment. This covers electric vehicles and hybrids as well as motorcycles, medium and heavy trucks and buses. It specifies that the alert sound must be sufficient to allow a pedestrian to detect a nearby EV or PHEV operating at constant speed, accelerating, decelerating and operating in any other critical scenarios. It must reflect the minimum sound level emitted by a motor vehicle that is necessary to allow visually-impaired an
June 18, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Electric cars will need noise generators to ensure safety
New rules in the US mean that electric vehicles will require noise generation equipment.

This covers electric vehicles and hybrids as well as motorcycles, medium and heavy trucks and buses. It specifies that the alert sound must be sufficient to allow a pedestrian to detect a nearby EV or PHEV operating at constant speed, accelerating, decelerating and operating in any other critical scenarios. It must reflect the minimum sound level emitted by a motor vehicle that is necessary to allow visually-impaired and other pedestrians to detect a nearby EV or PHEV operating below the cross-over speed. In addition, it must reflect the performance requirements necessary to ensure that each vehicle’s alert sound is as recognisable to pedestrians as that of a motor vehicle in operation. The implementation of the rulemaking is due in 2014 and should come into effect by 2017.

In 2011 the 2465 European Commission drafted a guideline for Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems. This guideline, intended to make recommendations to manufacturers for the installation of systems that provide vehicle operation information to vulnerable road users, is planned as an interim guidance until completion of on-going research activities and the development of a global harmonisation for device performance specifications.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • InnoSenT traffic management
    April 12, 2023
    InnoSenT has developed a new high-tech radar system for intersection management and traffic monitoring: the ITR-3800.
  • An innovative hybrid system from Kohler
    January 10, 2022
    Kohler is offering innovative hybrid power systems that can be used in an array of construction machine installations
  • Innovative solutions to earthmoving needs
    January 3, 2013
    Several manufacturers are offering improved earthmoving machines, with more to come - Mike Woof reports. One of the most notable developments comes from Caterpillar, with the unveiling of a hybrid excavator in the shape of its 336E H model. The machine is having its public launch at the bauma exhibition in Spring 2013 and will start rolling out of the factory in March 2013, while customers will be able to place orders from February 2013. Unlike other hybrid excavators on the market at present, the Cat 336E
  • Finnish researchers EEE and VTT get a grip on black ice detection
    November 27, 2017
    Winter road maintenance could be getting more efficient, thanks to the Grip, a black ice detection system from two Finnish research organisations. The Grip allows drivers to detect in real-time slippery road conditions extremely accurately and with costs significantly lower than by any other methods already being used, according the two firms – EEE Innovations and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. The first application of this patented technology is being offered to commercial vehicle owners and