The mandatory fitment of Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS) will ensure electric vehicles are seen and heard at low speeds.
From this month, all newly approved electric, hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell vehicle models entering the Australian market will be fitted with an AVAS as standard, helping to save lives.
Vehicles fitted with an AVAS will be no noisier than a standard internal combustion engine vehicle, however the sound they emit will be easily identifiable by pedestrians.
This will also support those who are blind or have low vision, and will allow them to continue navigating Australian streets and carparks safely.
Known as Australian Design Rule 113/00, mandating this technology is estimated to prevent a total of 68 fatalities and 2,675 serious injuries by 2060, or on average, one fatality and 75 serious injuries each year.
Motorists who already own a hybrid or electric vehicle will not need to modify their vehicle to make it compliant.
The Australian Design Rules (ADRs) are the national standards for road vehicle safety, anti-theft and emissions.
All new road vehicles manufactured in Australia and imported new or second-hand vehicles, must comply with the relevant ADRs when they are first supplied to the Australian market.
