New sound generators for EVs 'help warn pedestrians'

Date: 17/2/2011

One of the draws to electric vehicles (EVs) for drivers - in addition to their environmental benefits - may be the fact they are quieter than petrol motors.

However, this could pose a risk to pedestrians if they are unable to hear the cars as they approach.

In an attempt to tackle this road safety issue, Delphi has designed new sound generators, which are descried as environmentally friendly, low-cost, robust, compact and lightweight.

The "sounders" will help pedestrians detect when hybrid or EVs are approaching them, which can currently prove difficult as the motors are nearly silent.

A frequency range of 500Hz to 10 KHz is provided by the system, which can also reproduce melodies in order to represent the identity of individual vehicle manufacturers.

Beth Schwarting, General Director of the Electronic Controls Product business unit at Delphi, said: "Industry analysts predict hybrid and electric vehicle warning sounds, already covered by guidelines in Japan, will be required in North America and Europe in the near future."

Elsewhere, recent research by moneysupermarket.com revealed that 48 per cent of UK road users would consider a more fuel-efficient model as their next car, due to rising petrol and diesel prices.

Posted by Sarah Bailey