Should EVs Make Artificial Sounds at Low Speeds?

[sublimaze1]

I would also think that a pedestrian noise maker would require additional hardware (e.g. an external speaker) that the Model S does not have. So the wire clippers are key. However, and depending on your jurisdiction, it may be an inspectable portion of your state yearly. Maybe a quick disconnect or a switch is an idea.

 

[bonnie]

The large silent EV parades will become a thing of the past. The silence is powerful, sorry to see that end with this unnecessary regulation.

 

[wycolo]

The friendliest sound might be the baseball cards (our dups) that we clipped onto fender supports with clothespins to flip against the spokes of our bikes. Being speed related it broadcast two separate info streams to the pedestrian.
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[ToddRLockwood]

I noticed that taxis in NYC are using the dual horn approach: regular & pedestrian. They might even be requiring it for hybrid cabs, I don't know.

 

[Johan]

How's 'bout some padding on the front bumper and a "friendly nudge" (remeber to enable creep) to people blocking our path?

 

[jerry33]

I would also think that a pedestrian noise maker would require additional hardware (e.g. an external speaker) that the Model S does not have. So the wire clippers are key.

I think it would be rather hard to make enough noise with wire clippers--unless they are much larger than the kind shown in an earlier post.

 

[NigelM]

Our pedestrian friendly 15mph Main Street, which is problem free and wonderfully quiet, is suddenly going to become loud and noisy.

i predict an increase in accidents as pedestrians rely on cars to make noise and stop using their eyes.

 

[v12 to 12v]

There shouldn't be a regulation to create noise pollution. Once the world is ruled by EV's, our hearing will become more keen and sensitive.
I forgot about the Sound Studio package. Nevermind...

 

[jerry33]

It doesn't matter how much noise you make, they're not going to hear it over their iPod earbuds. This law is all about making EVs look silly while disguising it as safety.

 

[RDoc]

Citroen has had two levels of horn volume for decades.

 

[SCW-Greg]

I'm with Lloyd (and others), it is not needed. Quite honestly this is one of the biggest features of this car, silence... Not so you can sneak up and hit someone, but find some peace in this noise and smog polluted world.

Quite honestly mandating this, borders on deal breaking for me. We must stop legislation on this from ever seeing the light of day. Ugh.

Cars don't kill people, people do.

 

[dsm363]

It's funny how the law only applies to hybrids and EVs. If this were truly a concern then every car would need to be measured to find out how much sound it emitted at a certain speed and if it wasn't loud enough, the noise maker would be added. Some of the new ICEs are almost silent at low speeds. Any car is silent if you're wearing headphones and blasting music while walking.

 

[v12 to 12v]

We could do like the VW commercial and just crank up Rush's "Fly by Night" to 11.

 

[Doug_G]

It's funny how the law only applies to hybrids and EVs.

+1! They should handle all vehicles evenly, regardless of their power source. Otherwise it's pretty clear that it's a law expressly intended to help block adoption of EVs.

 

[jerry33]

+1! They should handle all vehicles evenly, regardless of their power source. Otherwise it's pretty clear that it's a law expressly intended to help block adoption of EVs.

Of course that's the intent. Keeping business as usual alive by using "safety" to get anti-EV laws passed.

 

[brianman]

Of course that's the intent. Keeping business as usual alive by using "safety" to get anti-EV laws passed.

Is it too early to start asking how to block a specific update to your Model S (the one that retroactively adds the sound)?

 

[JRod0802]

This is the thread on the EV lack of noise subject:

http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/1082-Auto-minimum-sound-level

Maybe these two threads should be merged?

 

[Thumper]

If we MUST have a sound, i hope we can choose it like we do ring tones for our smart phones.

 

[Doug_G]

Maybe these two threads should be merged?

Yes - done!

 

[strider]

Is it too early to start asking how to block a specific update to your Model S (the one that retroactively adds the sound)?

Hardware (external speaker) will be required so they won't be able to add it in a software update. As someone else posted, a pair of wire cutters will be all you need to return to serenity.