NHTSA Requires Hybrids to Make Noise Starting in 2019

Nov. 15, 2016

Nov. 15, 2016—The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Monday mandated that all new electric or hybrid vehicles make at least some noise, so that the visually impaired can hear them. The mandate applies to all new vehicles as of Sept. 1, 2019. Half of new hybrid and electric vehicles must be compliant one year prior to the final deadline.

Any vehicle weighing up to 10,000 pounds must make noise at speeds up to nearly 20 mph, the NHTSA declared. At higher speeds, the sound alert is not required due to other factors, such as tire and wind noise.

“Having raised concerns on behalf of blind Americans about the dangers posed by silent hybrid and electric vehicles, the National Federation of the Blind is extremely pleased that technical specifications for a safe level of sound to be emitted by such vehicles have now been issued,” said Mark Riccobono, president of the National Federation of the Blind.

Sponsored Recommendations

ADAS Applications: What They Are & What They Do

Learn how ADAS utilizes sensors such as radar, sonar, lidar and cameras to perceive the world around the vehicle, and either provide critical information to the driver or take...

Banking on Bigger Profits with a Heavy-Duty Truck Paint Booth

The addition of a heavy-duty paint booth for oversized trucks & vehicles can open the door to new or expanded service opportunities.

The Autel IA700: Advanced Modular ADAS is Here

The Autel IA700 is a state-of-the-art and versatile wheel alignment pre-check and ADAS calibration system engineered for both in-shop and mobile applications...

Boosting Your Shop's Bottom Line with an Extended Height Paint Booths

Discover how the investment in an extended-height paint booth is a game-changer for most collision shops with this Free Guide.