The Centre is moving to make electric vehicles (EVs) safer for pedestrians and other road users by mandating the installation of Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS). The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued a draft notification proposing that all new passenger and goods-carrying EVs be equipped with AVAS starting October 1, 2026, while existing models in production must comply by October 1, 2027.

Why AVAS is needed?

Unlike vehicles with internal combustion engines, EVs operate almost silently at low speeds. While this is a selling point for refinement, it has raised safety concerns for pedestrians, cyclists, and the visually impaired.

The AVAS system addresses this by generating a low-frequency, artificial sound that changes with vehicle speed, making the otherwise quiet vehicles more noticeable to people nearby. The system automatically activates at speeds below 20kmph and when reversing, switching off at higher speeds when tire and wind noise are sufficient.

Scope of the mandate

The notification specifies that the rule will cover Category M vehicles (meant for carrying passengers) and Category N vehicles (for carrying goods). This means electric cars, buses, vans, and trucks will all need to comply. However, electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and e-rickshaws are currently excluded, despite their quiet operation.

Global and Indian context

AVAS is already mandatory in Europe, Japan, and the US, where regulations require electric and hybrid vehicles to emit warning sounds under certain conditions. In India, some models such as the Tata Curvv EV, Hyundai Creta Electric, Mahindra XEV 9e, and Mahindra BE 6 are already equipped with the technology.

The draft notification cites compliance with AIS-173 standards, which govern audibility requirements for such systems in India.

Other changes proposed

Alongside the AVAS rule, the government has also proposed scrapping the requirement for manufacturers to provide mandatory spare tires in vehicles equipped with tubeless tires, including cars, quadricycles, and certain three-wheelers.

What’s next

Once finalised, automakers will need to incorporate AVAS into upcoming models by 2026, while existing EVs in production must transition by 2027.

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