Electric cars to sound like the Millennium Falcon?

Regulators in the European Union, the United States and Japan are considering allowing manufacturers of electric and hybrid cars to emmit an array of sounds, from the usual car engine noise to sci-fi style sounds, to combat the problem that these cars can be eerily silent compared to their petrol engined counterparts.

They could even have their own "signature" sounds so they can be differentiated.  Engine sounds could also help drivers who may feeling disconcerted when accellerating silently.

A recent study by the University of California has highlighed the dangers of these silent cars, especially at low speeds such as pulling away from parking spaces, when running only on their electric engines.  Accidents involving blind and visually impaired people are more likely as they can't hear the danger, like ordinary cars.

The charities Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and the National Association of Local Societies for Visually Impaired people (NALSVI) have been campaigning for a sound to be added to the vehicles to increase safety:

The silent engines of newly introduced hybrid and electric cars and buses pose another safety threat to all those who rely mainly on their hearing to assess whether it is safe to cross the street. While supportive of greener engines, the challenge should be to identify a technology that is both environmentally-friendly and safe for pedestrians, thus benefiting all, say the charities.

Shared Space schemes and silent vehicles affect a wide range of pedestrians: blind and partially sighted people (including those with hearing and other impairments), young children, seniors, runners, cyclists, and any inattentive pedestrian.

Statement from Guide Dogs for the Blind web site

Reports that the cars may make sci-fi sounds like the spaceships from the Star Wars movies might even be a selling point!