Electric Vehicles, Noise, and Pedestrian Safety - What's Your Take?

 

With more and more automakers developing electric vehicles, some folks worry about pedestrian safety. They argue that more people are likely to be hit by sneakily quiet EVs. Some even suggest putting speakers in electric cars to produce a noise that will give pedestrians a heads-up to oncoming traffic.

On the other hand, those concerned about the already pervasive noise pollution look forward to having quieter cars on the road.

What do you think? Should electric vehicles be required to produce some sort of noise in the name of public safety? If so, what sound should be employed? Should electric vehicles replicate the sound of current cars, or should we get more creative?

Will the Chevrolet Volt sound like Cyndi Lauper?

The Truth About Cars offers some suggestions here.

Make yourself heard in the comments section below.

by John Beltz Snyder on Oct. 15, 2009 - 1:05 p.m.
  • Hugo Chavez
    If this was true people would be run over by bicycles all the time. I�believe�people mainly rely on their eyes when crossing a street.
  • John Beltz Snyder
    If it had to sound like anything, I'd want my EV to sound like a Tie Fighter.
  • Jon
    I call it a solution for so many idiot clouding the gene pool. Walk in front of a car without looking, and die. I do not cry. If you want to live, do what your momma says and LOOK BOTH WAYS, and cross ONLY AT A CROSSWALK. Otherwise ...
  • Mark
    you dont even hear the engine in the econboxes running up and down the road anyway, unless it has one of those pissed off weed eater mufflers on it
  • oyunlar
    Thanks for the information you provider