Hong Kong Government to Mandate Acoustic Vehicle Alert System Installation on

The Hong Kong government has submitted a plan to the Legislative Council to mandate that all-electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid vehicles must have an acoustic vehicle alert system (AVAS) installed. This follows similar legislation in America, Europe, Japan, China, and the UK.

The authorities believe that electric vehicles are quieter than traditional vehicles while moving, particularly at low speeds, and pedestrians may be unable to hear electric vehicles approaching, which may increase pedestrian accidents.

In 2011, in the early days of electric vehicles, a study by the U.S. Department of Transport showed increased pedestrian accidents involving electric vehicles (EV) compared with internal combustion engined (IC) vehicles, particularly at low speeds. In 2020, a study in Europe found little correlation between vehicle type and pedestrian accidents. Legislation for the fitting of the AVAS system was passed in the EU mainly due to pressure on legislators from The Guide Dogs for the Blind organization and members of other visually impaired groups.

Hong Kong Transport Department figures show pedestrian casualties have declined progressively since 2011, from 3,840 (0.54 percent) to 2,815 (0.38 percent) in 2021. There was a lower blip in 2020 at 2,304 (0.31 percent).

In the Hong Kong government proposal, vehicles fitted with cranes or other lifting devices will also be required to install an AVAS to alert pedestrians of overhead dangers and ensure drivers retract any extendible structure before driving. As electric vehicles are now more developed and in greater demand, the authorities also plan to relax the regulation of which vehicles are allowed to use expressways. So that electric vehicles such as taxis, private minibusses, trucks, and ambulances can travel on the freeways without needing to apply for a permit.

The legislation proposal also includes minimum specifications and performance criteria for electronic rear mirrors, such as image quality, size, and field of view.

Many vehicle manufacturers have already developed VAS systems for their electric and hybrid vehicles, but generally, these are only fitted to meet regulations in particular regions. Some manufacturers, however, have already included AVAS systems on their Hong Kong models; for instance, BMW has an AVAS system fitted on their newly introduced EV models in Hong Kong, operating for speeds up to 35 kilometers per hour (21.8 miles per hour). This specification should meet all such regulations worldwide.

Europe

On July 2, 2019, the European Union stipulated that all-electric and hybrid vehicles with four or more wheels must be equipped with an AVAS, which came into full effect in July 2021. The system is said to prevent electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles from being too quiet and to minimize safety concerns for pedestrians. Despite Brexit, the EU regulation also applies to the UK.

The European Union acoustic vehicle alert system requires the creation of sounds similar in level to a traditional internal combustion engine, from rest to 19 kilometers per hour (approximately 12 miles per hour) to help increase traffic noticeability for pedestrians nearby.

Although electric…