New Safety Step: Govt to Add Sounds to Electric Vehicles

By Amit Jangra | Published Date : October 18, 2025

India plans to add alert sounds to electric vehicles at low speeds to improve pedestrian safety through the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS).

Electric vehicles are famously quiet — which, at first glance, might seem like a good thing. But at lower speeds, that silence could actually be risky. If a car or bus glides up without making any sound, someone walking or cycling nearby might not even realize it’s there. To fix this, the Indian government is looking to add sound systems to EVs to make roads a bit safer.

What’s AVAS?

Table of Contents

1. What’s AVAS?

2. Focus on Electric 3 Wheelers and E-Rickshaws

3. Rules for New and Existing Vehicles

4. India’s EV Market Is Growing

5. Other Upcoming Changes

6. Conclusion

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AVAS, or Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System, is designed to kick in when an EV is moving slowly — under 20 km/h. It plays a sound to alert people nearby, even if they can't see the vehicle. Once the car speeds up, though, the tires usually make enough noise on their own, so the system turns off.

Right now, this rule doesn’t apply to electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, or e-rickshaws — even though those are just as quiet. A lot of experts feel that might be a safety blind spot.

Focus on Electric 3 Wheelers and E-Rickshaws

Some safety experts believe electric mini trucks, electric 3 wheelers and e-rickshaws should also have AVAS. These small vehicles often move in crowded streets and are hard to hear.

Anil Chhikara, former deputy transport commissioner of Delhi, said, “There is a need to include electric two and three-wheelers because accidents involving pedestrians are increasing. Since these vehicles make no noise, the risk is higher.”

Rules for New and Existing Vehicles

The new draft rule says that all new electric vehicles for passengers or goods, made after October 2026, must come with AVAS. Also, existing EV models made from October 2027 onward must include this system.

This includes big electric trucks and buses that carry goods and people. It is an important step for road safety and can help reduce accidents involving quiet vehicles.

India’s EV Market Is Growing

In just a few years, India’s electric vehicle market has picked up serious momentum. It was worth about $2 billion in 2023 and if things keep going the way they are, it might cross $7 billion by 2025. By the end of the decade, yearly sales could touch 10 million. What’s behind this rapid growth? A mix of better charging stations, government push and more people leaning toward cleaner alternatives.

Other Upcoming Changes

The government is also looking at scrapping the rule that requires a spare tyre in vehicles with tubeless tyres. If approved, this could apply to cars, three-wheelers and even quadricycles — helping manufacturers cut down on both weight and cost.

Conclusion

Bringing AVAS to EVs is a practical move that can boost road safety across India. Quiet vehicles are easy to miss and this system makes sure they’re heard before they’re seen. Down the line, there’s a good chance the rules will expand to cover smaller rides like e-rickshaws and electric three-wheelers — especially in busy areas where sound really matters.

You Might Like: India-Japan Fund Invests ₹500 Crore in EKA Mobility to Boost EV Growth

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Frequently Asked Questions on Commercial Vehicles

1: What is AVAS in electric vehicles?

Ans: AVAS stands for Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System, a sound-emitting feature activated when EVs move under 20 km/h to alert nearby pedestrians.

2: Why is AVAS being introduced in India?

Ans: To improve road safety, as silent EVs at low speeds can be hard to detect, posing risks to pedestrians and cyclists.

3: Which vehicles must have AVAS under the new rule?

Ans: All new electric passenger and goods vehicles manufactured after October 2026 and existing models from October 2027 onward.

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