Sound Alert System is Mandatory for All Electric Vehicles by 2027

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed a new rule to make Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) mandatory in all electric vehicles (EVs) in India. AVAS is a safety feature that produces an artificial sound to alert pedestrians and other road users about the presence of an electric vehicle, which is usually very quiet.

The proposal aims to improve road safety as EVs become more common in Indian cities and highways. The ministry has suggested a phased implementation plan for this new rule:

From October 1, 2026: All new models of electric passenger and goods vehicles must be fitted with AVAS.

From October 1, 2027: Existing electric vehicles in categories M and N will also need to comply.

The AVAS system must meet specific audibility standards as per AIS-173 guidelines.

The rule covers two main categories of electric vehicles:

Category M: Electric cars and buses used mainly for passenger transport.

Category N: Electric trucks and other goods vehicles.

In addition to this safety feature, the government is also promoting electric mobility through a major EV charging infrastructure initiative. Under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, 72,300 public charging stations will be set up across India with a budget of ₹2,000 crore. BHEL has been appointed as the official Project Implementation Agency (PIA), and funding will be released in two stages based on performance.

These measures are expected to support the growing number of electric vehicles in India while ensuring safety for pedestrians and other road users.