Wed 23 Sep 2026 · Australia
Eco Car Advice

Electric cars now have to make strange noises by law

New legislation in the EU now requires that all hybrid and electric vehicles sold in the Union must be fitted with an acoustic vehicle alert system, which makes sound so pedestrians and cyclists aren't caught unawares. The rules do not cover motor bikes or scooters. A vehicle only needs to make a nois

Rob Fraser 17 Jul 2019 A week with the car · Driven in Australia

peugeot-avas-symbolbild-1New legislation in the EU now requires that all hybrid and electric vehicles sold in the Union must be fitted with an acoustic vehicle alert system, which makes sound so pedestrians and cyclists aren’t caught unawares.

The rules do not cover motor bikes or scooters. A vehicle only needs to make a noise if it is traveling under 19 kilometres per hour or when reversing.

There are no specifications on what the sound should be,

Citroen’s stubby, cube like concept the Ami-One plays a cheery tune, whereas Mercedes-Benz have commissioned the American Rock band Linkin Park to give its EVs a dose of rock.

Perhaps anything other than Greensleeves.

Read Next

All reviews →