Electric and hybrid cars
 

The safety lobby are now targeting these in regard to their lack of noise at low speeds.They say that pedestrians/cyclists[especially those wearing headphones]can't hear the approach of these vehicles.Blind people are also mentioned[as something of an aside] so apparently new electrics and hybrids are to be made to emit some kind of noise at low speeds-I saw 20mph quoted-and all such existing vehicles will have to have this retrofitted by 2021.Who will foot the bill for the retrofitting was not mentioned.

A soft farting noise maybe? Remember, in space, no-one can hear you smug!

It’d be cheaper to stop cyclists wearing earphones, maybe?

OK, I’ll get my own coat....

The law needs to catch up - current EVs are fitted with such services, but they are in fact illegal under UK law in a built-up area between 11.30pm and 7am.

There is a button on the dashboard to disable it.

We need an updated Green Cross Code campaign featuring a celebrity as big now as Dave Prowse was back then.

Many a petrol or diesel car is pretty much silent at 30mph engine noise wise, for people crossing the road.

It would surely be a minor project to fit an electric car with an external speaker, if that were then linked electronically to vehicle speed a suitable noise could be emitted.

If they start to make electric cars that have the roar of an old school american muscle car there could be a future in that...

Noise pollution laws and MOT rules will need updating as there will need to be a range of dBs that are allowed for any sound enhancement of electric vehicles.

Or drivers of electric vehicles can remember, they have a horn and they are expected to keep an eye on pedestrians, as pedestrians are expected to keep an eye on the road not to walk out into it without looking.

For people listening to music with headphones on, reading their phones, texting etc, my son would say "part of natural selection".

For people who are blind, not so.

There are some cars on my estate which are electric, the big Mitsubishi, little BMW, Leaf. They are quiet but I still hear them. The tyre noise does that on the road surface. If I was wearing my headphones when walking the dog I would not hear them but then I would not hear a standard car at 20mph either with them on. A bit of a non story from those afraid of the future.

You on the motorcycle...something like this...

https://youtu.be/aAHUNgoJQPw

I have a better idea - ban all electric vehicles - simples!



(I'll leave now!)