Sound warning as a must
The Current Laws for EVs
Sound warning as a must – for electric vehicles regulation
Numerous commuters today make the environmentally responsible decision to drive LEVs. When it comes to safety, however, electric vehicles with low sound emissions can be dangerous for those in close proximity because of their silent operation. The European Blind Union (EBU) specifically highlighted the risks associated with quiet transportation, which can go from zero to one hundred in about ten seconds but is inaudible to the visually impaired. Accordingly, as of 1 July 2021, across the European Union, UNECE Regulation No.138 mandates that all electric and hybrid vehicles be fitted with Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System. If the exterior noise of the vehicle does not meet specified overall levels with a margin of +3 dB, then the vehicle must use AVAS in accordance with UNECE Regulation No. 138.01.
Countries around the world have begun modernizing their legal frameworks to accommodate the rapidly expanding Electric Vehicle industry. LEV (light electric vehicles) laws are evolving rapidly. While some European countries have already started implementing test programs, others are beginning to draft appropriate legislation. The LEV legislation improvement discussion that took place on September 14 in Brussels was one of many. Because LEVs are increasingly used in dense urban areas, legislators are giving due consideration to the acoustic ecology of cities and taking the development of AVAS technology seriously.
At THOR AVAS, we believe electric vehicles are the future, and it is essential to incorporate innovative acoustic solutions for the external sound accompaniment of motor and electric vehicles. With an experience of over five years in sound devices for rigorously tested EVs, THOR AVAS operates in accordance with the 138 UN Rules currently in effect as part of its dedication to public safety and compliance with legislation. As a company, we strive to emphasize sound pressure, harmonious decibel levels, and other parameters of the superposition of sound layers to provide an environmentally responsible experience and protect the public.
In accordance with United Nations Regulation 138.01, beginning on July 1, 2019, all new models of electric and hybrid vehicles sold in the European Union (EU) must be equipped with an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System. New EVs in the United States must also comply with a federal safety standard requiring the production of discernible sounds when traveling at speeds of less than 19 mph, as announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Whereas, in Germany, installing an AVAS system is prioritized, and the federal government subsidizes it by €100.
We carefully assemble the system, create our own sounds and conduct tests. In order for our system to comply with the 138 rules, it is also necessary to conduct basic studies of the audibility and visibility of all types of vehicles.
The below pictures 1 and 2 - show graphs that compare the visibility of the vehicle with the experts' eyes open and closed. The hypothesis was tested that a person can notice an approaching electric car (we tested Tesla model 3) with peripheral vision, and therefore react earlier.
This is primarily due to the location of the expert area and the nature of the repetitive tests. IMPORTANT: These data may vary between sighted people, blind people, or visually impaired people. As can be seen from the graphs, the hypothesis was not confirmed, the response time is within the error range.
