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Updated On: 08-Jan-2026 09:12 AM
The government plans to make sound systems mandatory for e-rickshaws and EVs from October 2026 to improve pedestrian safety and reduce accidents caused by silent electric vehicles.
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.
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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.