New EU Design rules

Post by **giddo** » Sat Jul 06, 2019 10:59 pm

I read in the media that, because of accidents involving pedestrians and electric cars, our friends in Brussels are planning to introduce new laws that will require all new cars to make a noise - where will this leave Rolls Royce ?

Post by **scimjim** » Sat Jul 06, 2019 11:18 pm

I think that is all electric cars?

Post by **BigBobPilot** » Sat Jul 06, 2019 11:27 pm

Yep, just elecric cars, they have to sound like this (maybe)!

https://youtu.be/k85mRPqvMbE

Post by **manny** » Sat Jul 06, 2019 11:51 pm

I wonder if you can pick your own noise

Post by **Corky** » Sun Jul 07, 2019 1:38 am

The Renault Kangoo electric van that I sometimes drive at work, has a choice of three different electric motor type noises to help warn pedestrians. It can also be switched to silent.
On silent or with noise, you’d be surprised how many people step out in front of it without looking properly. It’s probably a subconscious act based on not hearing an engine noise. I’m not sure if creating artificial noise is the answer, or do we just need to recalibrate our awareness for the future of silent electric vehicles?

I quite like the idea of cities becoming quieter and less polluted.

Post by **willholderogri** » Sun Jul 07, 2019 8:17 am

I quite like the idea of cities becoming quieter and less polluted.
[/quote]

Yes but not at the expense of just polluting somewhere else . Elv are only clean at point of use .China and India are creating polution producing the components for these vehicles .And then there is the nuclear waste byproduct from generating all this electricity .Multiple brownouts will be another knock on effect.

Post by **Corky** » Sun Jul 07, 2019 11:55 am

Very true, as too are the factories that build wind turbines, solar panels and EV batteries etc.

Sustainability is a very complex subject, and commerce and governments continue to lie to us about it depending on whatever financial or political gain suits them at the time.

Alan SS1 · Post by **Alan SS1** » Mon Jul 08, 2019 12:55 pm

Corky wrote: ↑
Sun Jul 07, 2019 1:38 am
. .. .. . It can also be switched to silent.
On silent or with noise, you’d be surprised how many people step out in front of it without looking properly. It’s probably a subconscious act based on not hearing an engine noise. I’m not sure if creating artificial noise is the answer, or do we just need to recalibrate our awareness for the future of silent electric vehicles?

You might find that with more folk wandering around fully wired (to their phone) then they are oblivious to their surroundings, especially dangerous I reckon on a push bike where you need every avaialble sense to keep you in one piece ? ?

I think that there was a stooshi when the Walkman first arrived about folks getting knocked of their bike cos listening to favourite tunes . .. .

Post by **BigBobPilot** » Mon Jul 08, 2019 2:01 pm

Or, all EV's to be fitted with wire wheels, then spokey-dokes can be fitted, giving the genuine noise of a child bike of the 70's 80's (i.e a stick being dragged down metal railings / lolly stick in spokes). At higher speed, the centripital force will stop them sliding back down the spokes, hey preso, noise at low speed only & something to make out of recycled ocean plastics, 2 wins i one go!

Post by **BigBobPilot** » Mon Jul 08, 2019 2:11 pm

Thinking about it, pedestrians step out in front of push bikes too (not just EV's). So spokey-dokes could be mandated for all bicycles too.

Or as Corky said, get folks to remember the green cross code...

Post by **scimjim** » Mon Jul 08, 2019 3:09 pm

To be fair, I walked through a car park recently (no footpath as such, just cars both sides of an open area) and an electric/hybrid car started moving - there’s no warning at all, so no way I could know he was launching unlike an ICE. It’s not only an education piece for pedestrians but also drivers.

Post by **TrevorG** » Mon Jul 08, 2019 3:23 pm

Jim, the same thing happened to me recently. Not only due to a silent car, but the fact that the driver ( by his own admission) had not got used to the immediate acceleration experienced. The car surged forward.
I think that the proposed rules 're adding noise should also make electric cars hum or something when someone is in the driving position and stationary to help pedestrians next to them perhaps.
Then again, the devil in me says......let them hit a few people (just not me) as that's a sure fire way of making us all more aware!

Post by **Coupe Racing** » Mon Jul 08, 2019 3:42 pm

Some historic cities in Europe are full of electric cars that constantly beep and bleep

Alan SS1 · Post by **Alan SS1** » Mon Jul 08, 2019 8:51 pm

Coupe Racing wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 08, 2019 3:42 pm
Some historic cities in Europe are full of electric cars that constantly beep and bleep

thats not very 'historic' surely some sort of recording of a horse & cart trundling along cobbles would be more in keeping ?

Post by **Rattling** » Mon Jul 08, 2019 9:05 pm

Alan SS1 wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 08, 2019 8:51 pm

Coupe Racing wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 08, 2019 3:42 pm
Some historic cities in Europe are full of electric cars that constantly beep and bleep
thats not very 'historic' surely some sort of recording of a horse & cart trundling along cobbles would be more in keeping ?

Like it

and shopkeepers rushing out saying stand and deliver