What is AVAS
What is AVAS, THOR AVAS?
EVs (Electric Vehicles) are powered solely or largely by electricity from batteries, as opposed to traditional gasoline and diesel-fueled vehicles, helping curb air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Having just one electric car on the road can reduce CO2 emissions by an average of 1.5 million grams per year. EVs are not only better for the environment, but they also require less maintenance than gas-powered automobiles. As a result, the annual cost of using an electric vehicle is reasonably low, contributing to a rise in EV sales worldwide.
How Popular are Electric Vehicles?
The global market for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles is expanding at a steady rate. With a 75% share of plug-in electric vehicles, Norway leads the way in the transition to cleaner cars, along with Iceland, Sweden, and Finland, where sales have increased by an average of 30% annually over the past decade. The UK's anticipated ban on diesel and gasoline engines will lead to the widespread adoption of alternative fuel vehicles, with an estimated 18 million EVs and hybrids on the road by 2030. The country is working toward reducing automobile emissions by 37.5% by 2030, as outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement.
Electric vehicles have the potential to reduce noise pollution in urban areas due to their lower noise emissions. This, however, poses a risk to others who may be strolling by, especially senior citizens, children, the differently abled, and animals, as electric vehicles are quieter than conventional ones and can fall short when it comes to warning pedestrians.
This is where AVAS comes into the picture. To address this threat to public safety, governments worldwide have mandated that all EVs be fitted with an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS).
What is AVAS?
AVAS is an accessory required for electric vehicles in many countries. Many also refer to it as a pedestrian alarm, acoustic warning system, or pedestrian safety system. It offers a safety feature that can be added to any vehicle, including AVAS electric mopeds, AVAS e-scooters, electric buses, and trucks. The AVAS system provides audible warnings for otherwise silent electric cars to increase the safety of Vulnerable Road Users (VRU), as well as the vehicle's audible presence in low-speed traffic.
How Does AVAS Work?
Electric vehicles traveling at less than 20 km/h (approx. 12mph) automatically trigger an audible alert from AVAS systems. Loudspeakers and actuators create synthetic vehicle sounds by causing the automobile's structural elements to vibrate in response to variables such as speed, accelerator/brake pedal position, and gear. Even in the event that visual cues are not present, the AVAS system is able to amplify distinct reversing sounds to warn pedestrians.
