REPORT: Japan could require hybrids to emit sound
2010 Honda Insight - Click above for high-res image gallery
Now that hybrid cars have taken the top sales spots in Japan for the last few months, that country's Transport Ministry is reportedly launching an investigation to determine if it's wise to require hybrid automobiles to emit an artificial sound when operating with the internal combustion switched off. The thinking is that hybrids may be more dangerous to the blind due to their quiet operation under electric power.
According to an unnamed official, the government's 13-member panel – consisting of a diverse group of scholars, vision-impaired groups, consumers, police and automobile industry officials – "decided to consider introducing a sound-making function" on all hybrids at its first meeting on Thursday, July 2. The panel hasn't yet decided what sound hybrids should make. We'll cast our unofficial vote in the direction of cowbells.
The issue is well-known in America, where the government has launched Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Acts in each of the last two years to study the supposed problem. Naturally, there is some opposition to artificial noise generators on hybrids. "On the other hand, we should pay attention to residents (along roads) as hybrids are excellent in reducing noise," added the Transport Ministry official.
Gallery: 2010 Honda Insight
[Source: AFP via Google]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris 6:26PM (7/03/2009)
Is it in the epidemic stage where millions of blind people are being murdered by hybrid vehicles that we need to make them emit sound? If the world wasn't noisy enough. I'll make sure to disable any artificial sound my vehicle makes.
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Jon 6:52PM (7/03/2009)
This seems a little absurd to me. If you go out on the road and listen, most of the sound from cars come from the wheels on the ground and some wind. You rarely hear engine noise unless someone is really accelerating. And hybrids already have that faint electric purr which is definitely noticeable.
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GoodCheer 7:28PM (7/03/2009)
I've been thinking of mounting an unmuffled Harley engine on the roof of our eBox. Since it's not part of the drive-train, it is exempt from emissions considerations right?
I could make a nice consistent 105 dB. I think I'll park it outside my senator's house. I might forget to turn the noise-maker off.
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Snoopy 7:41PM (7/03/2009)
Sigh...
I've said it before (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/04/23/pedestrian-safety-enhancement-act-introduced-to-protect-the-blin/ or http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/04/17/lotus-and-harmon-partner-up-to-add-sound-to-hybrids/) and I'll say it again; I'm not against the idea of a sound output system, but it's not necessary.
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DasBoese 8:45PM (7/03/2009)
I often wonder how those people don't know that every car sold anywhere in the world already comes with a perfectly good sound-making device. We call it a horn.
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win39 10:10PM (7/03/2009)
It is the ambient sound level. My 4 cylinder ICE not especially quiet car frequently startles people walking in parking lots. If you are going to overcome the ambient white noise sound level of nearby traffic, all cars will need noise makers. And then the ambient sound level will go up again. Or only hybrids will be heard by the blind.
The illustration is ironic in the fact that the silent engine mode of the Insight is nearly nonexistent unlike the Prius and the Ford products.
Even at moderate speeds what you hear is wind noise and tire noise. Not many ICE vehicles have a distinct exhaust note unless being wound up in a gear.
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ufgrat 2:12AM (7/04/2009)
Better yet, put a small transponder on the car, and give blind people a receiver.
Creating noise pollution is not the answer.
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JustZisGuy 7:19AM (7/04/2009)
Hybrids already come standard with noise-makers.
They're called tires.
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jeff 10:39AM (7/04/2009)
I think it is a good idea. i don't think they are talking about that loud of a sound, just something that blind people can hear it coming at about the same distance they could normally hear a traditional ICE car. If you don't like it, then stop being so smug.
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Diffrunt 2:02PM (7/04/2009)
One "fed" to another----"well Let,s see ,--what stupid idea can I dream up today in order to justify my useless, but overpaid , existence"?
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Kalle 6:15AM (7/05/2009)
Rock'n'roll ain't noise pollution...
Start by putting decent sound systems in the hybrids (and don't forget to add some extra batteries...) =)
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Paul 1:37PM (7/05/2009)
Just what everyone needs - more over-regulation of the auto industry! I have to say I'm getting less and less interested in getting a new model of car, partially because it has so much more regulation and therefore more to go wrong and more expensive to get fixed. We seem to have no problem bailing out GM and Chrysler, but what really should have been done was to allow the car manufacturers not require extra regulation to sell the cars in different jurisdictions. I find it comical that the US and Canada require extra "safety" requirements for new cars, even though many States and Provinces do not require any sort of safety check. It is also comical to see different requirements for pollution for cars and trucks (trucks have it easier). Not to mention, older cars often have no pollution test in many (especially rural) areas. To add to that, we allow motorcycles, mopeds and scooters to be licensed, all of which are less safe than a Tata Nano or a 1960 Austin Mini.
Write your congressman (US) or member of Parliament (Canada) to:
1. Allow any EU, Canadian, US or Japanese spec vehicle to be sold in your jurisdiction.
2. Drop the 25-year old import rule (US) or the 15-year old import rule (Canada), allowing for anything to be imported, to provide for more competition in the market place.
One thing I would add to is forget the CAFE standards and just properly tax gasoline to promote efficiency. Some rebates could be provided for low income people in rural areas who require a car.
I find it rather ironic, that people scream about a gas tax, when there is probably nothing much more disgusting than income tax. You work hard and have to automatically send 20% or more of your salary to the government. People seem to be clueless that income tax, was intended to be a "temporary measure" in Canada to pay for the First World War (90 years ago!). People also don't realize that Canada can pay for all its supposedly wonderful services, if it simply used the Bank of Canada (publically owned) instead of private Banks to avoid paying interest:
Fellow Canadians, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8Zl1Wax8MI&feature=related
American friends: Unfortunately most Americans seem to be clueless that Federal Income Taxes are ILLEGAL according to the American Constitution. That's right American friends, do not pay Federal Income tax! There have been court cases on this, and despite threats, a judge cannot force an America citizen pay to income tax, because Income tax was NEVER ratified by the states in the original constitution!
Watch this (depressing) video series: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXb-LrVkuwM
Also sign this petition to ditch the privately owned and corrupt Federal Reserve:
http://www.petitiononline.com/fedres/petition.html
Send the above links to your friends to get the word out.
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