Nissan, Mitsubishi tell NHTSA requiring electric vehicles to make noise will turn buyers away

So basically, we'll lose one of the major advantages of electric cars to appease a small group. I love lobbyists Hopefully the noise in the noise-maker can be customized -- if I'm going to be causing noise pollution, I'd like mine to yell "OUT OF THE WAY STEVIE WONDER!" in a Zarvox Apple voice.

What's next: forcing bicycles to put cards in the spokes to be audible to blind people? Why not have blind people carry some sort of transponder that turns the noisemakers on, instead of having them on all the time, annoying the sighted?

Anyone who was stood next to the front fender of a typical Japanese four cylinder engine would realize that their noise level at 20 feet is non-existent. The noise of such a vehicle approaching is strictly tire noise.

This gasoline powered four cylinder vehicle is effectively identical to the electric powered vehicle at 20 feet.

Another example of the morons in society directing policy for the masses.

I guess electric cars don't have horns. They can mount a PA speaker on the roof like Elwood.

Electric car. Quick, kill it before it multiplies.

Welcome to the current world of television...

A separate channel of audio (Video Descriptor) for the visually-impaired.

A bunch of us are waiting for "Uncle Charlie" to mandate the issuance of Tactile-Pad devices (with changing-the-the-script raised "bumps") so the blind can "read" the fine print on the Viagra/Ciallis and Auto-ads so they won't be taken advantage of. . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .

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M. G. Burg
'10 - Dakota SXT - Daily Ride / ≈ 172.5K
.'76 - 450SLC - 107.024.12 / < .89.20 K
..'77 - 280E - 123.033.12 / > 128.20 K
...'67 - El Camino - 283ci / > 207.00 K
....'75 - Yamaha - 650XS / < 21.00 K
.....'87 - G20 Sportvan / > 206.00 K
......'85 - 4WINNS 160 I.O. / 140hp
.......'74 - Honda CT70 / Real 125
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“I didn’t really say everything I said.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ Yogi Berra ~

It's a tough call. One day I had just pulled into a parking spot in the lot at a large hardware store. I was looking for something in the back seat and at one point I knelt down to look on the floor. All of a sudden, the Prius next to me started silently pulling away. I freaked out, not knowing for sure where my foot was in relation to his tires. I emerged unharmed but it was not a pleasant experience.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

I don't think they are morons at all, I've been almost hit multiple times by moron Prius drivers in the dark and dangerous alleyways of Venice Beach. You don't notice them when they creep on to you.

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

Maybe they could add some space aged George Jettson sounds.

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Current fleet
2006 E320 CDI
1992 300D - 5speed manual swapped

former members
1984 300D "Blues Mobile"

1978 300CD "El Toro"

Were you stroking your stupidphone while looking down? If so, serves you right.

I don't stroke phones in public.

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

We Prius drivers call it "Stealth Mode";..... riding in a car without the motor on is kind of eerie too. It's like a ghost is pushing it.
What is funny, is driving by a dog, cat, squirrel, groundhog, or bird that didn't hear you coming. They jump like they are going to be somebodies next meal.

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"Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration...
don't Fail Us Now"

I call BS on that.

If you cannot hear a Prius approaching due to the tire noise, you cannot hear a Honda Accord approaching for the same reason. The noise level outside of 20 feet is non-existent.

So, if you're of the clique that wants a Prius to emanate more vehicle noise, you had better include the Accord and the Camry in that group.

Now you are within three feet.

You've got an argument regarding the silence of the vehicle at 3 feet and 3 mph. However, the OP and the title of the thread implies that the problem is in the approach with the vehicle doing over 20 mph (with tire noise) and with the vehicle beyond the 20 foot range where a piston engine can be heard.

WTF! My hearing is perfect and I can not hear a Prius approaching me from behind in a city environment with all the noise that comes with city live. In the sticks it's maybe a different story, with only the birds singing. When they run on the electric motors or below 20mph they should make some sort of noise.

And if it's the same with an Accord or a Camry they should make an artificial sound as well. What's the big deal anyways; the INFINITY FX and the new BMW M5 both have an artificial roar.

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

OK, then.

But, don't join the group that chooses to attack the electric vehicle for being silent when there are plenty of small four cylinder vehicles are just as quiet outside of 20 feet.