EVs require pedestrian alert – EU rule

Electric vehicles must have an audible alert to warn pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users under a new European Union (EU) rule introduced on July 1.

While the requirement is for new EVs at this stage, all EVs in the EU need it by 2021.

The Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS) must be activated when an EV is reversing for travelling below 19km/h, but the driver can deactivate it as necessary.

The new regulation follows concerns EVs are so quiet that other road users such as the visually impaired can’t hear them, putting them at risk.

EVs usually reverse or travel at low speeds in areas near people, such as city streets or pedestrian crossings, and the AVAS often provides a sound similar to that of an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.

Whether that adds to noise pollution remains to be seen (or heard).

The Guide Dogs charity, which had complained about problems hearing low-emission vehicles, has welcomed the new rule but told the BBC EVs should make a warning noise at all speeds.

Many electric and hybrid vehicles already have AVAS.

Japan provided guidelines around them in early 2010, while the US requires compliance for half of ‘quiet’ vehicles at speeds below 30km/h by September 2019 with full compliance by September next year.