The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid was ready to roll, in the US, in late 2010. Then the US government enacted a new law requiring all hybrids to have an audible "engine noise" so sight impaired individuals, and distracted folks, will be able to hear the near silent vehicles.
This required Hyundai to redesign the wiring harness, UI software and user manuals to meet the requirments set forth in the new legislation. These tweaks had to be done "amazingly late in the process," according to Hyundai America CEO John Krafcik.
What if electric vehicles can produce funny and awesome car noises? That would be so much cooler, wouldn't it? But of course, it's dangerous for the impaired due to the roadway noise they're more used to. In any case, what's fun about electric hybrid vehicles is their reduced noise and lowering noise pollution.
ReplyDeleteMakayla..that would be funny. Can you imagine the Leaf having a the deep throated growl of the Viper?
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