Hybrid Vehicles Could Be Required To Make Very Loud Noise

By Cornelius Nunev

There is a side benefit to electric cars that are often cited as a minor but important selling point. There is legislation in the works that would require sound. Electric and hybrid cars are especially targeted. There is already after-market technology available to add the roar of a motor to hybrid automobiles.

Why quiet cars are bad

Hybrids and electric vehicles tend to be fairly quiet when going slow. Usually, the vehicles will make noise over 20 miles per hour from the air resistance, although it isn't at all the same as a gas vehicle would make. While this is great news for noise pollution, it is bad news for several of those who rely on cars making noise. Those who need the sound include cyclist, the blind and pedestrians. They use the noise to determine how close or far away a vehicle is which is harder when the sound changed. Limited studies have shown that hybrids and electrics are twice as likely to collide with pedestrians at intersections and parking lots, where the vehicles are moving at very low speeds.

Something that needs to be addressed

The car noise issue is one that vehicle corporations for instance Nissan are working on. The Nissan Leaf is reportedly going to be making a "futuristic buzzing noise" in later models. Many businesses have developed kits to put into hybrid vehicles that make noise. One of these corporations is Lotus Engineering. A Prius can be converted to sound like a race car with one kit. Some kits will make a hybrid sound like an 8- or 12-cylinder car. This will give people noise whenever they're ready.

Keeping everybody safe

A requirement for automobile noise can be put together by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The European Union also has some issues with it. It is considering regulation similar to this. Some vehicle makers have considered sounds depending on natural noises, but several sight-impaired advocacy groups argue against this option. To be able to ease the transition and prevent any troubles with electronic sound on freeways, the Society of Automotive Engineers is hoping to create worldwide criteria.

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