Nissan LEAF EV Will Emit “Futuristic” Sounds to Alert Blind People

Nick Chambers — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:55:06 +0000

One of the things people who’ve driven electric cars seem to enjoy (including myself) is the complete silence of the electric motor. The only noises you hear while driving an EV are dependent on how fast you’re driving, the kind of tires you have, and the condition of the road. For a commuter, this feature alone can be worth millions in sanity.

But at low speeds while driving around town, EVs represent a bit of a threat to people who aren’t able to pick up on the visual cues of such a silent car — namely the visually impaired, children and the elderly. In an effort to address this problem, Nissan has decided that at speeds under 12 mph, the upcoming LEAF EV will emit a “beautiful and futuristic” noise reminiscent of the sounds that flying cars emit in sci-fi movies such as Blade Runner.

Hybrid Cars a Threat to Blind People?

Shirley Siluk Gregory — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:23:08 +0000

Hybrid cars and other vehicles with silent engines could pose a threat to visually impaired people who rely on traffic noises to judge when it’s safe to cross the street, according to the National Federation of the Blind. To address that concern, two U.S. House representatives have introduced a bill that would require the Secretary of Transportation to study ways to protect the blind and others from quiet cars.

Green Options » visually impaired

Nissan LEAF EV Will Emit “Futuristic” Sounds to Alert Blind People

Hybrid Cars a Threat to Blind People?