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

  • Innovations in power systems for industry
    September 19, 2019
    Major innovations in power systems and drivelines are offering increased efficiency and reduced emissions for the future of construction machines - Mike Woof writes
  • Tolling innovation
    January 4, 2013
    Leading European tolling solution companies are involved in a number of innovative tolling projects across the continent and further afield. Guy Woodford looks at some of the latest Siemens Mobility & Logistics (SML) has received orders from Eurotoll and Total, two of France’s largest electronic toll on-board unit issuers, to supply technology for the new French toll collection system. The equipment comprises on-board units for the vehicles as well as the electronic detection system. The SML orders’, worth
  • Europe's politicians continue to debate motorcycle safety issues
    April 27, 2012
    The European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) has voted in Brussels on its report on the proposal for a regulation on the approval and market surveillance of two- and three wheelers and quadricycles.
  • Taiwan developing its own EV technology
    April 26, 2012
    Taiwan’s electric vehicle (EV) industry is moving from parts manufacturing to marketing own brands, with the island’s solid base in information and communication technology (ICT) helping it to make its name on the EV stage. Taiwan is also working vigorously to develop its own EV technology, placing it among countries like Brazil.