Avas System for Electric Vehicles: The central government has taken a big step towards making electric vehicles (EVS) more safe for pedestrians and other users on the road. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) has issued a draft notification, in which the imperative of Acuce Vehicle Alert System (AVAS) has been proposed. So let’s know what is this system and how this system will provide protection for the common people.
What is the proposal?
Under the proposed rule in draft notifications, it will be mandatory to install AVAS systems in all new passengers and cargo vehicle electric vehicles launched from 1 October 2026, while models already running in production will have to follow this rule by 1 October 2027.
Why is Avas necessary?
Avas is especially necessary for electric vehicles because electric vehicles are much quiet than traditional engine vehicles. This will help in increasing security for everyone, including pedestrians and two -wheelers on the road. The government believes that this step will adopt electric mobility as well as road safety will be improved.
Scope of mandate
According to the MRTH notification, from 1 October 2026, new models and from 1 October 2027, M and N will be available with M and N category electrified vehicles with AVAS. Here M category is for passenger vehicle and N category carrier vehicles. This means that electric cars, buses, vans and trucks will all have to be equipped with Avas. However, currently electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers and e-rickshaws are out of it.
How does this Avas system work?
This system generates voice while walking at a low speed of 20 kilometers per hour of the vehicle, so that pedestrians, bicycle riders and other people walking on the road can learn about the arrival of the vehicle and be safe. This system automatically becomes active at a speed of less than 20 km/h and during the reverse of the vehicle. At the same time, this system stops due to enough tires and air sounds in high speed.
What do Global Experiences say
Global reports also suggest that electric vehicles can pose more risk for pedestrians running on the road in slow speed. Because electric vehicles use electric motors instead of traditional engines. In such a situation, there is absolutely no sound from the car in slow speed, due to which the pedestrians or two -wheeler drivers on the road do not even realize that a four -wheeler is coming from them or behind.
According to a report by the US Transport Department, electric cars pose 20 percent higher risk for pedestrians and 50 percent higher at low speed than petrol and diesel cars. Avas is already mandatory in America, Japan and Europe, and now it is ready to make it mandatory in India as well.
These Avas already in these cars
Some electric vehicles in India are already available with AVAS systems. Which includes models like MG Comat, Tata Curve EV, Hyundai Creta Electric. Apart from this, the recently launched XEV 9E and BE 6 (BE 6E) by Mahindra also come with this technology, which decide the safety of pedestrians and two -wheelers running on the road.
Other proposed changes
Apart from the AVAS rules, the government has also proposed that vehicles with tubeless tires, such as cars, quadricycles and some three-wheelers, should be removed. As soon as this rule is finalized, car makers will have to apply AVAS in the new model from 2026, while it will be mandatory to follow the electric vehicles already running in production by 2027.
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