With the large-scale adoption of electric vehicles as India gears up for a sustainable future comes a debate: Should sound be added to these silent machines? EVs ensure a reduction in emissions and promise a cleaner environment; however, near-noiseless movement begs the question in the name of safety. This article looks at the incorporation of sound in an EV.
The Need for Sound in an EV
Because they are primarily silent at low speeds, electric vehicles pose a potentially grave threat to pedestrians, bicyclists, and people with visual impairments who cannot readily detect the approach of such cars. ARAI has recognized this menace and is currently engaged in addressing this issue through the development of an AVAS that will guarantee the issuance of certain sounds from EVs to alert road users to their approach. The new regulations by the Indian government would introduce the installation of sound alerts on all EVs for every movement below 20 km/h.
Technological Advancement of Sound in an EV
The range of sounds from the proposed AVAS will be based on the speed of the vehicle and. This technology helps not only to serve the purpose of safety but also allows the manufacturers to come up with distinctive sound identities for their brands. The manufacturers may use either automated systems or provide a provision for the drivers to select sounds, thus giving design flexibility to the manufacturers while complying with the safety norms.
Why Should Sound Not be Added?
Some critics feel that adding fake noise to EVs defeats their ecological purpose and is going to disturb the serenity of urban environments. Then, adding loud noises to the EV would nullify that particular advantage and cause noise pollution. It also questions the effectiveness of AVAS in preventing accidents. They believe pedestrians, especially the visually impaired, rely on a combination of senses including sight, sound, and touch when getting their bearings. Putting only one sound on EVs might be too little for them to tell them where it is.
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A Way Forward
As India continues its policy of incentivizing the adoption of EVs, addition of sound to such vehicles has to be carefully weighed up by policymakers and manufacturers. A judicious balance has to be struck between the interest of pedestrian safety and that of minimal noise pollution. The other aspect is educating pedestrians, especially children, on the need for alertness when there is the remotest possibility of an EV being in their vicinity.
ELECTRIK Speaks
Adding sound to an EV has been a debated topic in India, where valid arguments have gone both ways. Since the country is shifting toward greener roads, finding a solution that balances the requirements of EV owners, pedestrians, and environmental causes is significant.