Whalesbook
New Safety Mandate for Electric Vehicles
India's Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has finalized new regulations mandating the installation of Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS) across a range of electric vehicles. This directive applies to all new e-rickshaws, e-karts, and electric vehicles classified under M (passenger transport) and N (goods transport) categories. The rule takes effect from October 1, 2026, for new vehicle models.
Compliance Deadlines and Vehicle Categories
Existing electric vehicle models will have an extended deadline of October 1, 2027, to integrate the AVAS technology. The ministry's draft notification also includes L5 (three-wheeled vehicles) and L7 (heavy quadricycles) categories, broadening the scope of the safety measure. This expansion ensures greater coverage for lighter electric mobility solutions.
Enhancing Pedestrian Safety
The core objective behind the AVAS mandate is to address the inherent quietness of electric vehicles. Since EVs do not produce the engine noise of traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, they can pose a hazard to pedestrians and cyclists, especially at lower speeds or during reversing. AVAS systems emit specific warning sounds, which typically vary with the vehicle's speed, to alert vulnerable road users to their presence.