EVs: breaking the sound barrier

Recent European legislation requires new electric-powered vehicles to make some sort of noise while driving at city speeds, and from mid next year new EVs will be required to have an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS). As a result, some car designers are turning to nature for sonic inspiration to create warning sounds for pedestrians and cyclists, also for drivers getting used to having a silent car. Research shows near-silent EVs are up to twice as likely to be involved in a collision, mainly because pedestrians can't hear them coming. Volvo NZ general manager Coby Duggan speaks with Kathryn Ryan.