Govt. Mandates Acoustic Alert Systems For EVs By 2027

The Ministry of Road Transport on Monday issued a draft notification requiring all electric cars, buses, and trucks to be equipped with Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS) starting October 2027. The regulation aims to address safety concerns arising from the silent operation of electric vehicles (EVs), Times of India reported.

According to the proposed rules, newly developed models of electric passenger and commercial vehicles must incorporate AVAS technology by October 2026. All existing vehicle models rolling off production lines from October 2027 onwards will also need to include this safety feature.

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Low-Speed Operations Targeted

These devices will activate automatically when vehicles travel at speeds up to 20 kilometers per hour, addressing the challenge posed by Quiet Road Transport Vehicles (QRTVs) that operate almost silently. The technology specifically benefits electric and hybrid automobiles by producing artificial sounds that warn pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users of approaching vehicles, particularly during low-speed operation when engine noise is minimal.

Two-Wheelers, Three-Wheelers Excluded

Notably, the draft notification does not extend AVAS requirements to electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, or e-rickshaws, despite their similarly quiet operation.

"There is a dire need to mandate this feature in electric two- and three-wheelers too. We see more instances of pedestrians being hit by two-wheelers, and since these make no noise, the risk of accidents is greater," Anil Chhikara, a former deputy transport commissioner of Delhi, was quoted as saying in the report.

High-Speed Exemption

The AVAS mandate will not apply at higher speeds, where tire friction generates adequate noise to alert nearby road users, according to ministry sources. The notification also includes provisions to eliminate the mandatory spare tire requirement for vehicles fitted with tubeless tires, including cars, three-wheelers, and quadricycles.