Poll: Pedestrians worried about silent electric cars

Exciting new research has been released by Venson Automotive Solutions, shedding light on pedestrians’ concerns regarding the quiet nature of electric vehicles on the roads. As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, with the phasing out of internal combustion engine vehicles, it appears that some road users are not entirely comfortable with the almost silent operation of plug-in cars.

According to the study, over a quarter (27%) of pedestrians have been caught off guard by the lack of noise from electric vehicles while crossing the road. Additionally, nearly half (47%) of individuals remain apprehensive about the quietness of plug-in cars when in motion.

Despite the implementation of EU regulations mandating the use of an acoustic vehicle alerting system (AVAS) since 2019 to address this issue, there is still a notable preference among road users for the familiar sound of a petrol or diesel engine. When an electric vehicle is driven at low speeds or in reverse, a noise is automatically generated to alert pedestrians. These sounds range from artificial bells and chimes to engine-like noises or the sound of tyres on gravel.

Surprisingly, about a quarter (26%) of road users expressed a preference for electric vehicles to emit a noise resembling that of a traditional internal combustion engine. The second most popular choice was a continuous low decibel sound, favoured by 21% of respondents.

Furthermore, the study found that when it comes to the sound of an EV horn, a majority (65%) believe it should mirror the sound of a horn on a petrol or diesel vehicle. However, there is a minority (23%) who would rather have the horn produce an animal or musical instrument sound, despite its primary purpose of warning others and preventing potential accidents.

Venson Automotive Solutions has sounded the alarm on the potential safety risks faced by vulnerable road users if there isn’t stricter regulation and greater consistency in the artificial noises emitted by electric vehicles.

Simon Staton, client management director at Venson Automotive Solutions, expressed concerns about the confusion the stealth-like nature of some electric vehicles may cause among vulnerable pedestrians, particularly children or those with hearing impairments. While the integration of AVAS into hybrid vehicles marked a positive step in 2019, the research shows that 27% of road users have narrowly escaped incidents involving electric vehicles, indicating the need for further action.

Staton emphasised the importance of easily recognizable sounds that can be clearly heard to help individuals judge the presence, location, and speed of vehicles to ensure their safety. As the automotive industry continues to evolve towards sustainability, it is evident that addressing the acoustic concerns of electric vehicles is crucial for the well-being of all road users.