---
title: "New Law Requires Electric Vehicles to Make Noise at Slow Speeds"
description: "New EU legislation requires electric vehicles (EVs) to include Acoustic Vehicle Alert Systems (AVAS) that make noise to alert pedestrians of their approach."
date: "2019-06-06"
modified: "2019-06-06"
authors:
  - name: "Kristin Houser"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/kristin"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/electric-vehicles-noises-evs"
categories:
  - "Advanced Transport"
  - "Electric Vehicles"
tags:
  - "acoustic vehicle alert system"
  - "electric vehicle"
  - "the digest"
---

# New Law Requires Electric Vehicles to Make Noise at Slow Speeds

![New EU legislation requires electric vehicles (EVs) to include Acoustic Vehicle Alert Systems (AVAS) that make noise to alert pedestrians of their approach.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/automakers-fake-engine-noises-evs.png>)
*\<em\>Image: Nissan/Victor Tangermann\</em\>*

## Oh So Quiet

The engines powering electric vehicles can be [whisper quiet](<https://d2v7i6t2.map2.ssl.hwcdn.net/content/quotes/624_500.jpg>), especially at low speeds, which makes EVs a threat to pedestrians — especially those with [visual impairments](<https://futurism.com/electric-vehicles-quiet-dangerous-noise>).

That's why, starting on July 1, the European Union will require automakers to fit their EVs with systems that emit warning noises when the car is moving at a slow speed — fake engine noises, essentially. The only problem: no one actually knows whether the systems will keep pedestrians safe.

## Speak Up

Under the new EU legislation, automakers must equip any EV with four or more wheels with an Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS).

This system must emit a continuous noise of at least 56 decibels any time the car is moving 20 kilometers per hour (12 miles per hour) or slower. That's about [as loud as a conversation](<http://www.industrialnoisecontrol.com/comparative-noise-examples.htm>) you might have in your home.

Several EV makers already equip their cars with such systems, but this legislation will make AVASs a requirement.

https://youtu.be/yJTc6ZrODOY

## White Noise

A similar initiative is already in the works in the [United States](<https://www.reuters.com/article/us-autos-regulations-sounds/u-s-finalizes-long-delayed-quiet-cars-rule-extending-deadline-idUSKCN1GA2GV>), but according to a *New Atlas* [story](<https://newatlas.com/eu-ev-acoustic-noise-avas/60022/>), researchers [aren't actually certain](<https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-05/asoa-stn050919.php>) that AVASs prevent unwanted collisions between EVs and pedestrians.

A [Norwegian study](<https://www.governmenteuropa.eu/adaptive-avas-electric-vehicle-safety/91652/>) expected to wrap up in June could clear up the issue. And if it finds AVASs don't do the trick, transportation experts will have [no time to waste](<https://futurism.com/china-is-creating-a-future-with-worldwide-electric-vehicle-adoption>) finding something that does.

**READ MORE:** [Dawn of the noisy electric car: EU laws requiring audible warning sounds take effect July 1](<https://newatlas.com/eu-ev-acoustic-noise-avas/60022/>) \[*New Atlas*\]

**More on EVs:** *[Bring the Noise: Why Electric Vehicles Need to Make More Sound, Right Now](<https://futurism.com/electric-vehicles-quiet-dangerous-noise>)*

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinjhouser>)