EVs, make some noise: Why the govt wants sound alert devices in electric vehicles, Pg13.

Key Highlights:

• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed mandatory Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS) for electric vehicles.
• As per the draft notification, new EV models must have AVAS installed after October 1, 2026, and existing models by October 1, 2027.
• AVAS will generate sound when the vehicle moves at speeds up to 20 kmph to alert pedestrians and other road users .
• In 2024, 19.50 lakh electric vehicles were sold in India, representing 7.44% of total vehicle sales.
• As of February 2025, India has registered a total of 56.75 lakh electric vehicles.

Detailed Insights:

• The primary reason for mandating AVAS is that electric vehicles moving below 20 kmph are nearly silent, posing a safety risk to pedestrians and cyclists.
• The government is promoting electric vehicles to reduce emissions and achieve Net Zero targets, leading to increased EV adoption, including in suburban areas for last-mile connectivity.
• Currently, the AVAS mandate does not extend to two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and E-rickshaws, raising concerns among analysts about potential safety risks.
• Electric vehicles produce some sound through their tires at speeds above 20 kmph, but this is not sufficient at lower speeds, necessitating AVAS.
• Regulations similar to AVAS for electric and hybrid vehicles are already in place in countries like the US and Japan.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS): A device that generates artificial sound in electric vehicles to alert pedestrians and other road users.
• Net Zero: A state where a country's emissions are completely offset by absorption of greenhouse gases.