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Silent No More - EVs To Get Pedestrian Warning Sound Systems From 2026
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has released a draft notification proposing Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS) in electric vehicles. The rule addresses concerns that EVs, while efficient, are too quiet at low speeds, creating potential safety risks for pedestrians and cyclists on crowded city roads.
As per the draft, all new electric vehicle models in categories M (passenger vehicles) and N (goods carriers) must be fitted with AVAS starting October 1, 2026. The mandate will expand to cover existing EV models in production from October 1, 2027.
The circular specifies that systems must comply with AIS-173 standards, which define performance and audibility levels. The artificial sound generated by the vehicle should be loud enough to be noticed in busy environments but not intrusive or uncomfortable for people nearby.
The alert sound will be triggered when an EV travels under 20 km/h or while reversing. At higher speeds, the system will switch off automatically as tyre and wind noise provide sufficient audible cues for pedestrians, matching practices followed in other global automotive markets.
The proposed rule applies to multiple vehicle types under categories M and N, including passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, buses, and trucks. Interestingly, two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and e-rickshaws remain excluded from this draft, despite also operating with minimal noise at lower speeds.
Many automakers already offer pedestrian alert systems in their EVs sold in India. Models like the MG Comet, Tata Curvv EV, Tata Harrier EVHyundai Creta Electric, Mahindra XEV 9e, and Mahindra BE 6 are equipped with AVAS.
According to the draft, introducing AVAS is vital because EVs pose a 20 per cent higher risk of pedestrian accidents compared to internal combustion vehicles. By creating low-frequency artificial sounds, the technology alerts walkers, cyclists, and vulnerable road users who may not otherwise detect an EV on the move.
Alongside the pedestrian safety mandate, the government also proposed revising another regulation. Vehicles fitted with tubeless tyres may no longer be required to carry a spare wheel. The exemption would apply to passenger cars, some three-wheelers, and quadricycles, reducing weight and improving efficiency.
Automakers will need to redesign upcoming EV models to integrate AVAS before the 2026 deadline, while existing production lines must transition by October 2027. The draft notification is open for stakeholder comments before the government finalises the implementation schedule and enforces the new safety standards nationwide.
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