Automakers are increasingly adding noise to their electric vehicles so that they can be identified by pedestrians and cyclists who might otherwise be unable to suss out the presence of the larger automobile. This trend is explored at greater depth in a new report, which shows how experts who are usually accustomed to softening sound are now being called upon to make cars louder. Data is sparse at this point in terms of the number of injuries that may be resulting from silence-related electric vehicle collisions, but this hasn’t stopped officials around the world from pushing for laws related to minimum sound thresholds. Some automakers may be unhappy with this, as they see soundlessness as a big perk of such vehicles. BMW and Volkswagen have, for instance, made it known that electric vehicles will only receive added noise where legally obligated.
For more about the trend, click here.