Ad
Ad

AVAS mandatory for new EVs from October 1, 2026.
Existing EVs get time till October 1, 2027.
E-rickshaws and e-karts added under L5 and L7.
The rule applies to M, N, L5, and L7 categories.
Public feedback invited within 30 days.
The Government of India has taken a key step to improve road safety by proposing mandatory sound systems for electric vehicles that currently run almost silently. In a fresh draft notification, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed extending the use of the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) to e-rickshaws and e-karts, along with other electric vehicles.
According to the draft notification, all new electric vehicles across multiple categories will be required to be fitted with AVAS from October 1, 2026. For existing electric vehicles, the government has provided an additional one-year window, allowing compliance by October 1, 2027.
Earlier, the AVAS requirement mainly covered electric vehicles under the M and N categories. The new proposal expands this list by adding L5 and L7 vehicle categories, bringing e-rickshaws, e-karts, and heavy quadricycles under the mandatory safety rule.
Electric vehicles do not produce engine noise like petrol or diesel vehicles. While this makes them eco-friendly, it also increases the risk of accidents, especially for pedestrians, cyclists, and visually impaired people who rely on sound to sense approaching vehicles. The new rule aims to reduce such risks by ensuring EVs emit an audible warning sound.
An Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) is a safety feature installed in electric and hybrid vehicles. It uses external speakers to generate sound when the vehicle is moving at low speeds or in reverse. The sound changes with speed, helping pedestrians and nearby road users detect the vehicle’s presence in time.
Category M: Electric passenger vehicles such as cars and buses
Category N: Electric goods vehicles and cargo trucks
L5 Category: Three-wheeled vehicles, including passenger and cargo auto-rickshaws
L7 Category: Heavy quadricycles, usually four-wheeled vehicles used for utility or cargo purposes
The draft notification has been placed in the public domain, and the ministry has invited comments and suggestions from stakeholders and citizens within 30 days before finalising the rule.
With the rapid growth of electric mobility in India, the inclusion of e-rickshaws and e-karts under AVAS rules reflects the government’s focus on balancing sustainability with safety. Once implemented, this move is expected to significantly reduce silent-vehicle-related accidents and make Indian roads safer for everyone.
Also Read: Uttarakhand Boosts Public Transport: 100 New Buses Added, Electric Fleet Next
The government’s proposal to mandate Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems for e-rickshaws, e-karts, and other electric vehicles marks an important step toward safer roads. By ensuring that silent electric vehicles produce audible warning sounds, the move aims to reduce pedestrian accidents, especially at low speeds. With clear timelines for new and existing vehicles, the draft rule supports responsible EV growth while prioritising public safety.
Isuzu Motors India Announces Leadership Change, Takeshi Hirano Becomes New Deputy Managing Director
Isuzu Motors India appoints Takeshi Hirano as Deputy Managing Director. The experienced global executive returns to strengthen the company’s growth, exports, and market p...
11-Mar-26 07:33 AM
Read Full NewsVE Commercial Vehicles Appoints B Srinivas as MD & CEO; Vinod Aggarwal Named Chairman
VE Commercial Vehicles appoints B Srinivas as MD & CEO from April 2026, while Vinod Aggarwal becomes Chairman. The leadership change marks a new phase of growth for VECV....
10-Mar-26 04:54 PM
Read Full NewsACDelco Returns to India: Assurance Intl Relaunches GM’s Aftermarket Brand with Batteries and Lubricants
ACDelco re-enters India through a licensing deal between Assurance Intl and General Motors. Batteries and lubricants will be locally manufactured in Hisar and distributed...
10-Mar-26 04:44 AM
Read Full NewsDaimler Truck Innovation Center India Appoints Radhakrishnan Kodakkal as New MD & CEO Amid Global Leadership Transition
Daimler Truck Innovation Center India appoints Radhakrishnan Kodakkal as MD and CEO. The leadership change highlights India’s growing role in engineering, software, and d...
09-Mar-26 07:15 AM
Read Full NewsCMV360 Weekly Wrap-Up | 02-07 March 2026: CV Sales Rise, Electric Mobility Expands, and Tractor Industry Records Strong Demand
CMV360 Weekly Wrap-Up (2-7 March 2026) covers strong commercial vehicle sales, rising electric bus and three-wheeler adoption, robust tractor demand, new product launches...
07-Mar-26 11:22 AM
Read Full NewsUber Launches Intercity Bus Ticketing in India, First Global Rollout
Uber introduces intercity bus ticket booking in India with AbhiBus partnership. Users can search, compare, and book bus tickets easily through the Uber app with safety fe...
07-Mar-26 06:07 AM
Read Full NewsAd
Ad

Best Selling Buses in India 2026
11-Mar-2026

Sakhi Auto Services in Bengaluru: A Women-Only Auto Ride Making City Travel Safer and More Empowering
10-Mar-2026

Top Tata Ace Trucks in India 2026 – Price, Mileage, EV, CNG & Diesel Complete Comparison Guide
03-Mar-2026

Best Tata Magic Buses in India 2026
25-Feb-2026

Mahindra Commercial Vehicles in India 2026
24-Feb-2026

Diesel vs Electric Trucks in India 2026: Detailed Comparison of Cost, TCO, Subsidies, Charging & Best Choice for Fleets
21-Feb-2026
View All articles