The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a draft notification that requires all electric cars, buses, and trucks to be equipped with Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS) from October 2027. With this mandate, the government aims to address safety concerns related to the silent operations of electric vehicles.
As per the suggested regulations, all newly manufactured electric passenger and commercial vehicles must have AVAS technology installed by October 2026. Additionally, all current vehicle models produced from October 2027 onwards will also be required to feature this safety element.
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"Provided also that, on and after October 1, 2026, in case of new models and October 1, 2027, in case of existing models, electrified vehicles of category M and N shall be fitted with AVAS meeting requirements with regard to audibility as specified in AIS-173, as amended from time to time," the MoRTH notification stated. The M and N categories of electric vehicles are for carrying passengers and goods, respectively.
These devices will switch on automatically when vehicles are moving at speeds up to 20 kilometers per hour, tackling the issue posed by Quiet Road Transport Vehicles (QRTVs) that run nearly silently. The technology is particularly beneficial for electric and hybrid vehicles by generating artificial sounds to alert pedestrians, cyclists, and other users of the road about nearby vehicles, especially during low-speed situations when engine noise is low.
The AVAS requirement will not be necessary at higher speeds, as tire friction creates sufficient noise to inform nearby road users, according to sources from the ministry. The announcement also includes measures to remove the obligation for a spare tire in vehicles equipped with tubeless tires, covering cars, three-wheelers, and quadricycles.