NHTSA Proposes Sound Requirements for Hybrid/Electric Vehicles

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is proposing that electric and hybrid vehicles must meet minimum sound standards to ensure pedestrian safety. According to NHTSA, the sounds would need to be detectable under various street noises and other background sounds when the vehicle is traveling under 18 mph.

"Our proposal would allow manufacturers the flexibility to design different sounds for different makes and models while still providing an opportunity for pedestrians, bicyclists and the visually impaired to detect and recognize a vehicle and make a decision about whether it is safe to cross the street," NHTSA Administrator David Strickland says. For more information, visit NHTSA's website.