Electric vehicles are known for their quietness on the road, but are they too quiet? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) believes that there is! After spending years developing new rules and trying to solve this problem, NHTSA has finally put forward specific guidelines for this particular “problem”. From 2020 onwards, all electric vehicles must have at least a minimum of sound at low speeds to remind pedestrians and cyclists that they are right next to them.
The discussion on the device for emitting light noise actually started in 2010, when electric cars were just on the market. The problem itself is not about zero-noise cars, but about their impact on pedestrians. When cars are quietly approaching pedestrians in alleyways, parking lots and other places, some people may not even be aware of the existence of these electric vehicles. According to investigations, electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles are 19% more likely to have accidents with pedestrians than those emitting louder fuel.
NHTSA has spent a long time trying to solve this problem, but it is limited by local policies and has delayed the implementation of the “quiet motor vehicle regulations” several times. However, now that this regulation has been announced, electric vehicle companies like Tesla must Obey this rule. The regulations require that by September 2019, 50% of the automaker’s electric vehicle lineup must be equipped with relevant technology to emit light noise. By 2020, this proportion will rise to 100%, or all electric cars on the road.
After implementing this regulation, electric vehicle manufacturers need to install at least one external speaker on electric cars and hybrid cars so that the car can be identified as a moving vehicle at a speed of less than 30 kilometers per hour. the sound of. This special provision has been reviewed and confirmed by the US Department of Transportation. Therefore, automobile manufacturers need to take new regulations into account when developing hybrid and electric vehicles. This rule applies only to light cars and trucks with a total weight of less than 4.5 tons.
Talking about car manufacturers, Nissan and Tesla have taken steps to solve this problem. For example, Nissan has already adopted artificial sound technology on models such as the Leaf. Tesla has also made great strides in developing its own "Pedestrian Noise" system. In fact, as early as 2016 Tesla's "Pedestrian Noise" technology blueprint has been leaked out.
There are advantages and disadvantages in relation to the noise and grades emitted by electric vehicles. On the one hand, the provision of these pedestrian-sensing noise devices can help pedestrians and cyclists, especially when electric vehicles are approaching, when safety issues are involved. It should not be compromised. On the other hand, electric vehicles equipped with noise devices violated the spirit of electric vehicles, and in particular reduced their contribution to reducing noise pollution. Therefore, there is indeed some entanglement.
Car Shu concluded: In any case, even if it took nearly 8 years of market research, the regulations are still in place. It is hoped that this new regulation will effectively reduce road safety accidents and ensure the safety of everyone's travel.
