NEW DELHI: The manufacturers of electric cars and other bigger vehicles such as buses and trucks in India would soon have to comply with a new norm of adding a sound alert to these vehicles when they are travelling at speeds of up to 20 kmph to help prevent injuries among pedestrians, cyclists and the blind.
The EVs produce less noise compared to cars powered by combustion engines and can pose risk to the vulnerable road users in mixed traffic conditions and more so when these are travelling at a slower speed. Globally, beyond the speed limit of 20-30 kmph, the noise produced by tyres of EVs and airflow at higher speeds are considered enough to alert other road users.
Aligning with the global standards, the country’s highest automotive standard making entity, CMVR-TSC, has given the go ahead for the final draft of a new automotive industry standard (AIS) — requirement for approval of Quiet Road Transport Vehicles (QRTV) with regard to their reduced audibility. The road transport ministry has put the proposed standard on its website to seek comments from experts and stakeholders.
