EV Safety Sound Won't Arrive Until 2018
Electric vehicles are whisper quiet, an attribute that can make them deadly to the visually impaired.
Although a law was passed in 2011 that made it mandatory for automakers to have a sound for EVs and hybrids that alerts nearby pedestrians, the actual implementation of the rule has been delayed to about 2018. That’s because NHTSA has pushed the deadline back to make sure it hears comments from auto manufacturers and other concerned parties first.
Automakers are saying that NHTSA has given them very little time to develop and put into production compliant systems in time to meet a September 1, 2018 deadline.
SEE ALSO: Automakers Request Delay for Pedestrian Alert System
The sound is supposed to be “recognizable” as a motor vehicle and must be audible on any EV or hybrid travelling less than 18 mph. Some manufacturers, like Kia with the Soul EV, have already installed a sound alert on their vehicles, while many are waiting for the official rules from NHTSA to be made clear. Manufacturers want the noise to be pleasant to the passenger, while still being able to alert pedestrians to the danger.
[Source: Edmunds]
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Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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