Shanghai (ZXZC)- BYD announced that it will manufacture pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles fitted with low-speed sound warning system from Jan. 1, 2018, aiming to alert pedestrians to avoid these moving vehicles on roads. 

As the battery-powered vehicles are far quieter than that with internal combustion engines, it is highly necessary for electric and hybrid vehicles to install sound warning systems to alert pedestrains on roads when travelling at a low speed. According to the Technical Specification for Safety of Power-driven Vehicles Operating on Roads implemented on Jan.1, 2018, the NEVs should make a warning sound when travelling at a speed of less than 20km/h. Though the low-speed sound warning system is not enforced to install in NEVs, Chinese carmakers still attached great importance to the regulations, including BYD.

According to BYD's announcement, the sound-warning function will work automatically when the speed is under 30km/h. When travelling at the speed range between 0-20km/h, the sound will be louder as the speed increased. At the speed of 20-30km/h, the sound would be quieter as the speed increased. In addition, customers can turn on/off the system via the key on the steering wheel.