The Sound of Silence No More: India Mandates Audible EVs
Get ready for a new sound on India’s roads! Electric vehicles (EVs), known for their near-silent operation, will soon be legally required to produce noise. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has unveiled a significant proposal: all electric vehicles – from personal cars to large buses and trucks – must be equipped with Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS) in the near future.
According to the draft notification, this mandate will take effect for new EV models starting October 1, 2026. For existing models already available on the market, manufacturers will need to integrate AVAS technology by October 1, 2027. This proactive measure is primarily aimed at enhancing road safety, especially for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, and the visually impaired, who are at a higher risk due to the quiet movement of electric and hybrid vehicles at low speeds.
What Exactly is AVAS?
An Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) functions by using external speakers to emit artificial sounds. These sounds are specifically designed to alert people to the vehicle’s presence when it’s moving slowly, typically at speeds of up to 20 kmph. At higher speeds, the natural noise generated by tires and wind is generally sufficient to warn others, eliminating the need for additional artificial sounds.
Such safety systems are not a novel concept on the global stage. Similar regulations are already well-established in regions like the US, Europe, and Japan. Regulators in these countries have made acoustic alerts compulsory for both electric and hybrid vehicles to proactively address the safety concerns posed by these ‘quiet’ modes of transport.
The push for safer electric vehicles comes as India experiences a significant surge in EV adoption. In 2024, total EV sales soared past the 2 million mark, with approximately 2,022,873 electric vehicles sold across various segments. This represents a substantial 25.4% increase over 2023 figures, indicating that EVs now constitute nearly 7.7% of the country’s overall automobile market. As this trend continues, ensuring the safety of all road users becomes paramount.