Govt to Introduce Sound Alert System for Electric Vehicles to Boost Road Safety: AVAS to Make Indian Roads Safer for Pedestrians and Cyclists

Key Highlights:

• The AVAS rule to be mandatory for electric cars, buses, and trucks from October 2027.

• The system activates automatically up to 20 kmph speed.

• Experts recommend the inclusion of two and three-wheelers.

• India’s EV market to reach US$7.09 billion by 2025.

• The government may drop the spare tyre rule for tubeless vehicles.

The Indian government is planning to make roads safer by introducing a new sound alert system for electric vehicles. This move aims to reduce accidents involving silent EVs that are often hard to hear, especially at low speeds. The system, known as the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS), will generate artificial sounds to alert pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users when an EV or hybrid vehicle is nearby.

AVAS Rule from October 2027

According to government sources, all electric cars, buses, and trucks manufactured from October 2027 will need to include the AVAS feature. The system will automatically produce sound when the vehicle is moving at speeds up to 20 kmph. However, the rule does not apply to electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and e-rickshaws for now — even though they are equally quiet and pose similar safety concerns.

Experts Call for Inclusion of Small EVs

Many road safety experts believe that electric two and three-wheelers should also come under this rule in the future.

According to Anil Chhikara, former Deputy Transport Commissioner of Delhi, “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.”

These small and quiet vehicles are becoming more common on Indian roads, especially in cities. Therefore, adding AVAS to them could significantly improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Implementation Schedule

The government’s draft notification mentions that all new electric passenger and goods vehicles manufactured after October 2026 must include AVAS. Furthermore, all existing models produced from October 2027 onward should have this system installed.
At higher speeds, the system will automatically turn off, as the tyre noise of the vehicle is loud enough to alert others.

EV Market Growth and Safety Importance

India’s electric vehicle market is growing rapidly. Valued at US$2 billion in 2023, it is expected to rise to US$7.09 billion by 2025. Experts estimate that by 2030, annual EV sales could reach 10 million units. With this fast growth, ensuring road safety becomes even more important for the government and manufacturers alike.

Other Proposed Changes

The Ministry is also planning to remove the requirement for a spare tyre in cars, three-wheelers, and quadracycles that use tubeless tyres. This could help reduce vehicle weight and cost slightly, improving efficiency.

Also Read: Piaggio & RiseWise Launch India’s First Battery Replacement Finance Plan – Making EV Ownership Easier, Cheaper, and Smarter for 3-Wheeler Owners!

CMV360 Says

The government’s plan to introduce AVAS for electric vehicles is a positive step toward improving road safety and protecting pedestrians. As EV adoption continues to grow, future updates may also include electric two-wheelers and e-rickshaws, making Indian roads safer and more secure for everyone.