Nissan Leaf gets artificial noise system
14.06.2010 - Owen Ready
(17)
The Nissan Leaf - the first of a raft of mass-produced electric cars - will not only reduce local emissions but also noise pollution when it goes on sale in the UK next year.
The idea of near-silent city streets may be music to most people's ears but others have raised concerns over possible safety issues with unwitting or visually impaired pedestrians wandering in front of moving cars. Nissan's answer is the Pedestrian Audio Warning System.
At speeds below 25km/h (15mph) the car emits a sci-fi-esque whine, which fades out at 30km/h (19mph) as tyre noise reaches an audible level. When the Leaf is in reverse, the sound changes to a sweeping high-low noise. The system has been designed so as not to be audible inside the car and can be switched off.
It is unclear if such audible warning systems will become a legal requirement for electric vehicles. What is certain is that someone, somewhere will already be working on a way to play personalised sounds through the city streets. The Leaf's system may well become the next decade's equivalent of the novelty ringtone
