Hella Develops Acoustic Warning System For Electric Vehicles With Artificial Engine Noise

There is no doubt about the fact that electric vehicles are the way forward. The electric vehicle industry across the world is seeing enormous growth and a few countries are already selling more electric vehicles than internal combustion-powered vehicles.

EVs are environment-friendly as they are clean, green and quiet. However, there appears to be a small problem with the last bit. The silence of an EV might please environmentalists and greenpeace activists but it is causing accidents.

Human beings respond to five senses and one of them is hearing. Pedestrians and other road users are used to seeing other vehicles and hearing them too. In some situations, you can hear a vehicle coming before you can see it. This is especially true for blind corners.

In such a situation, modern hybrids and electric vehicles are proving to be quite a safety hazard. The quietness of an electric vehicle has caused many accidents so far and pedestrians and other motorists have claimed it is because they didn't hear it coming.

In India, one might have honked, but the mannerisms and rules in European countries do not allow unnecessary honking. After much deliberation, the European Union made it mandatory for all hybrids and electric vehicles to be fitted with AVAS since July 2019.

Now, renowned automotive lighting and electronics company Hella has developed an AVAS system that might very soon be seen as standard fitment on most electric vehicles. According to Hella, the AVAS gives electric vehicles a sound that is similar to a conventional internal combustion engine.

This allows other road users to hear approaching vehicles and be alert. The Hella AVAS is active at speeds from 0-20km/h. As the speed rises, the intensity of the sound too increases. Once the vehicle crosses 20km/h, the system becomes inactive as the rolling noise of the tyres are loud enough.

At the moment, it isn't clear as to what kind of sounds it will make. The system will first be implemented in Europe and will come to India at a later stage. The Indian market has already seen this technology in action thanks to Revolt Motors.

Back in August 2019, the company launched the Revolt RV300 and RV400 in the Indian market. The two electric motorcycles feature these artificial sounds of internal combustion engines. It even comes with a smartphone app that can be used to change the kind of sound being produced. Soon, all electric vehicles may have to be fitted with AVAS.

Thoughts On Hella Launching AVAS With Artificial Driving Noise For Electric Vehicles

The sound of an engine is what thrills the petrolhead, and many were disappointed that this sound might soon disappear thanks to electric vehicles. However, by the looks of it, the sound of internal combustion engines will not disappear even if the engines themselves do.

Hella has been making the best horns, lights and other electronic hardware for ages now. With this new development, Hella will continue to be part of the vehicles of the future.