Government Plans to Mandate Sound for Electric Vehicles in India

To improve road safety, India is moving to mandate acoustic vehicle alerting systems (AVAS) in electric vehicles. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed that all electric cars, buses, and trucks be equipped with AVAS, starting October 1, 2027. The reason for this initiative is the silent operation of EVs, which can be dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists, and other people on the road. The new rule will affect new electric passenger (Category M) and goods (Category N) vehicle models from October 1, 2026. By October 2027, it will apply to all existing EV models as well. The notification states that AVAS installation should follow AIS-173 standards to make sure the artificial sound is consistent and safe. The AVAS system is designed to activate at speeds up to 20 km/h, when EVs are often quiet and hard for pedestrians to hear. At higher speeds, noise from tires and wind usually provides enough warning, so AVAS isn’t needed. This technology is very important in cities to protect pedestrians, especially those with visual impairments. The move is in line with global safety standards, as AVAS is already required in EVs and hybrid vehicles in places like the United States, Japan, and the European Union. Besides AVAS, MoRTH also wants to remove the rule that says vehicles with tubeless tires must have a spare tire. This would affect cars, three-wheelers, and quadricycles. While AVAS helps keep pedestrians safe, other things like crash protection, the vehicle’s structure, and battery safety are also important. Some of the safest EVs made in India are the Tata Punch EV, Tata Nexon EV, and Mahindra XUV400 EV. Some EVs already have AVAS features.