Originally Posted by DaveW
The hair dryer whine is a comic side effect of EVs. Most seem to have this "feature".

Their otherwise silent approach is dangerous, and we do a lot of lane walking. Consider also the hard of hearing and visually impaired. Somebody will get killed if that hasn't already happened.

Unfortunately it has happened.

Current EU regulations are that all electric and hybrid cars must be fitted with an acoustic warning system (AVAS) :
The measure affects electric cars sold within the European Union as of July 1, 2019, while for those on the road the requirement to be equipped with artificial noise systems was triggered in 2021. Specifically, vehicles must emit a sound of at least 56 decibels to a maximum of 75 decinels in intensity while driving at a speed of up to 20 kilometers per hour and in reverse.

As I said before I think this rule should apply at all urban and semi-urban speeds, say up to 70 kph.

I was not previously aware that an AVAS system must be retrofitted, by law, if a vehicle does not already have such a system.

Peter

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