The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has released a draft notification proposing that all electric cars, buses, and trucks must be equipped with an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) to generate artificial sounds at low speeds. This move comes in response to growing concerns over road accidents caused by the silent operation of electric vehicles (EVs), which can surprise pedestrians and cyclists, especially in busy urban areas. The proposal aims to make EVs safer for everyone on the road while supporting India's push towards cleaner transport options to reduce emissions.
What Are Electric Vehicles and Why Are They Silent?
Basic Concept: Electric vehicles (EVs) are cars, buses, trucks, or other transport options powered by electric motors and batteries instead of petrol or diesel engines, which helps reduce air pollution and dependence on fossil fuels.
Reason for Silence: Unlike traditional vehicles that make noise from their engines, EVs run quietly because electric motors produce very little sound, especially at low speeds below 20 kmph, making them hard to hear for people nearby.
Growth in India: EVs have become popular for last-mile connectivity in cities, with government policies like subsidies under the FAME scheme encouraging adoption to meet Net Zero emission targets by 2070.
What Is the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) and How Does It Work?
Definition: AVAS is a simple electronic device installed in EVs that creates artificial sounds, like a soft hum or beep, to warn pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users about the vehicle's approach.
How It Functions: The system turns on automatically when the EV moves at speeds between 0 and 20 kmph, emitting sound from speakers usually placed at the front of the vehicle; it stops above 20 kmph as natural noises from tires and wind take over.
Technical Requirements: According to India's AIS-173 standard, the sound must be audible but not exceed certain volume levels to avoid noise pollution, and it should change pitch or volume based on speed to mimic acceleration.
Why Does the Government Want to Mandate AVAS in Electric Vehicles?
Main Safety Concern: Silent EVs at low speeds increase accident risks because pedestrians, especially the visually impaired or those wearing headphones, may not notice them coming, leading to collisions in crowded areas like markets or residential lanes.
Accident Statistics and Examples: Reports show rising incidents where quiet EVs surprise people, such as in suburbs where e-rickshaws and EVs are common for short trips; experts note that excluding two- and three-wheelers could worsen this in narrow streets.
Broader Road Safety Goals: This fits into India's efforts to reduce road deaths, which are among the highest globally at over 1.5 lakh annually, by making EVs safer as their numbers grow rapidly.
What Is the Timeline and Scope of the New Regulation?
Implementation Dates: New EV models (cars, buses, trucks) made after October 1, 2026, must have AVAS factory-fitted, while older models in production get until October 1, 2027, to add it during manufacturing.
Covered Categories: It applies to Category M (passenger EVs like cars and buses) and Category N (goods EVs like trucks), but skips lighter ones like two-wheelers due to cost and design challenges.
Process for Approval: Manufacturers must ensure AVAS meets AIS-173 standards through testing; the draft is open for public feedback before becoming law.
What Are the Exemptions and Concerns Around Them?
Exempted Vehicles: Electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, e-rickshaws, and e-carts are not required to have AVAS, as they are seen as lower-risk or harder to equip without raising costs for affordable models.
Expert Worries: Analysts argue this gap could lead to more accidents, since two-wheelers make up most EV sales (over 50% in 2024) and often operate in pedestrian-heavy zones; suggestions include extending the rule to all EVs for complete safety.
Potential Impacts: Exemptions might keep costs low for budget EVs, but could delay full safety benefits in India's mixed traffic where bikes and pedestrians share spaces.
How Does This Compare to International Practices?
Global Adoption: Countries like the US, Japan, and EU members have mandated AVAS since 2019-2021 for EVs and hybrids, requiring sounds at low speeds to protect vulnerable users, with similar speed limits of 18-30 kmph.
India's Alignment: The proposal matches these standards to make Indian EVs export-ready and safer, supporting global efforts to balance green transport with pedestrian protection.
Benefits for India: Adopting this helps India join international safety norms, potentially boosting EV manufacturing under schemes like Make in India.
What Is the Background of EV Growth and Government Support in India?
Historical Development: EVs started gaining traction in India around 2015 with the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) scheme, offering incentives to cut pollution from transport, which contributes 14% of India's emissions.
Current Statistics: By 2025, EVs hold about 7% of total vehicle sales, driven by models like Tata Nexon EV and Mahindra XUV400 EV, with government targets for 30% car EVs by 2030.
Related Policies: This AVAS rule complements emission reduction goals, but also ties into other changes like allowing tubeless tire vehicles to skip spare wheels, showing updates in vehicle standards.
What Are the Potential Benefits and Challenges of This Mandate?
Benefits: Improves road safety for all, especially in urban India; supports EV adoption without compromising on quiet benefits like less noise pollution; could create jobs in AVAS manufacturing.
Challenges: Adds minor costs (around ₹1,000-₹5,000 per vehicle) for makers, though affordable; enforcement in aftermarket for older EVs might be tricky; needs awareness campaigns to explain the new sounds to the public.
Future Outlook: If implemented, it could reduce accidents by 10-20% involving EVs, based on global studies, while keeping India's EV push on track for sustainable mobility.
© 2025 Gaining Sun. All rights reserved.