Acoustic Alert System for EVs: A New Safety Mandate from 2027

The Proposed Regulation

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has floated a draft rule mandating an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) for electric cars, trucks, and buses from October 2027. The requirement, however, excludes two‑ and three‑wheelers like e‑rickshaws.

Why It Matters

EVs are inherently quiet, especially at low speeds, which increases risk to pedestrians, cyclists, the visually impaired, and other road users.

The AVAS will emit sound at lower speeds to alert passive road users of a vehicle’s presence.

Scope & Exemptions

The draft excludes two‑ and three‑wheelers—this is a critical gap given the high prevalence of e‑rickshaws and e‑scooters in India’s urban mobility mix.

Implementation from 2027 gives manufacturers time to integrate systems into new EV models.

Opportunities & Challenges

Manufacturing Impact: EV producers will need R&D, hardware redesign (sound generators), and quality assurance for AVAS.

Cost Considerations: The added feature could marginally increase vehicle cost—balancing safety and affordability will be key.

Standardization & Compliance: Uniform standards (volume, frequency, sound types) and enforcement mechanisms must be defined.

Phase-in Strategy: Retrofitting existing EVs or offering optional kits may be needed to cover fleet transition.

Broader Policy Connections

This regulation is part of India’s safe mobility ecosystem agenda—complementing regulations like helmet laws, pedestrian infrastructure, and road design.

The exclusion of light EVs calls for policy review, since pathologies in regulation (excluding the most used vehicle segments) weaken the intent.

In essays, this topic ties into “Sustainable Mobility,” “Regulation vs Innovation,” and “Public Safety in Technology Transition.”