Why in news?

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed mandatory Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS) in electric cars, buses, and trucks to curb road accidents. AVAS will generate artificial sound when EVs move at 0–20 kmph, alerting pedestrians and other road users to their presence.

As per the draft notification, all new EV models manufactured after October 1, 2026, must be fitted with AVAS, while existing models must comply by October 1, 2027. The move addresses safety concerns caused by the near-silent operation of EVs at low speeds, ensuring better audibility and reducing accident risks.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS)
• Working of AVAS
• Why India Needs Acoustic Alert Systems in EVs?
• AVAS Rules Exclude Two- and Three-Wheelers for Now

Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS)

• AVAS is a safety feature designed to generate an audible warning sound for electric and hybrid vehicles, which are often nearly silent when operating at low speeds.
• It's intended to alert pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users to the vehicle's presence, helping to prevent accidents.

Working of AVAS

• AVAS operates automatically based on the vehicle's driving condition:
  • Activation
    • The system is typically mandated to activate when the vehicle is moving at low speeds, generally from startup up to a threshold like 20 km/h (about 12 mph) or 30 km/h depending on the specific regulations.
    • It also usually activates when the vehicle is in reverse gear, regardless of speed.
  • Sound Generation
    • The AVAS uses an external speaker (often mounted beneath the bodywork) to generate an artificial, continuous sound.
    • This sound is usually designed to resemble that of a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle or a distinct, recognizable warning signal.
  • Speed Synchronization
    • The system is connected to the vehicle's electronic control unit (ECU) or Controller area network (CAN)-Bus to get real-time data on speed and gear.
    • The pitch (frequency) and sometimes the volume of the generated sound automatically vary in proportion to the vehicle's speed.
    • This change in characteristic helps pedestrians to perceive the vehicle's acceleration, deceleration, and distance.
  • Deactivation
    • When the vehicle exceeds the low-speed threshold (e.g., above 20 km/h or 30 km/h), the AVAS typically deactivates.
    • At higher speeds, the natural noise generated by the vehicle's tires on the road and aerodynamic drag becomes sufficiently loud to alert other road users.

Why India Needs Acoustic Alert Systems in EVs?

• Electric vehicles (EVs) running below 20 kmph produce minimal sound, making them harder to detect and raising the risk of accidents, especially for pedestrians and cyclists.
• To address this safety gap, the MoRTH has proposed Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS), which will generate sound to warn road users of an approaching EV.
• The move comes amid a rapid surge in EV adoption.
• According to MoRTH’s e-Vahan portal, 19.5 lakh EVs were sold in 2024, accounting for 7.44% of all vehicles sold that year.
• India’s EV share has grown from just 0.01% in 2014-15 to 7.31% in 2024-25, with over 56.75 lakh EVs registered by February 2025.
• The government sees AVAS as crucial, especially since EV penetration is expanding beyond metros into suburbs and small colonies, driven by the popularity of e-rickshaws and two- and three-wheelers for last-mile connectivity.

AVAS Rules Exclude Two- and Three-Wheelers for Now

• The draft notification on Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS) currently applies only to electric cars, buses, and trucks — not to two-wheelers, three-wheelers, e-rickshaws, or e-carts.
• Analysts, however, caution that excluding these vehicles, which often operate in congested urban and suburban areas, could raise accident risks.
• While EVs generate tyre noise at speeds above 20 kmph, they remain nearly silent below this threshold.
• Experts suggest AVAS should cover all categories of EVs, as seen in countries like the US and Japan, to ensure comprehensive road safety.