14 DAY TRIAL // Speaking at a press conference that took place yesterday in Brussels, Belgium, Rodolfo Cattani with the European Blind Union argued that, because they are very silent, EVs and hybrid cars constitute a threat to blind and partially sighted people.
Individuals who rely on their hearing to cross the street are also at risk, he further pointed out.
From an environmental standpoint, it would be great if more such eco-friendly cars hit the streets. However, the way Rodolfo Cattani sees things, about 30 million Europeans would be at risk if this were to happen and car manufacturers were not required to make these vehicles “audible.”
According to Business Green, lawmakers in the European Union are considering passing legislation saying that EVs and hybrid cars marketed across member states must be fitted with a so-called Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System.
What Rodolfo Cattani is not in the least thrilled about is the fact that, although this System will automatically be switched on when the car's engine starts, the driver would be allowed to decide whether or not they will leave it on or switch it off.
“The switch-off possibility is dangerous; drivers will use it too often. We want a ban on the pause system,” he explained.
Lawmakers in the EU are expected to vote on this piece of legislation concerning how loud EVs and hybrid cars must be in the first few months of 2014. Rodolfo Cattani hopes that, by then, they will give his warnings due consideration.