electric cars-silent killers

[pcoleman]

news item this morning about the silent killer ie. electric cars as people cant hear them approaching and suggestions as to what sound should be created to warn people of their approach.well of course it took me a fraction of a nano second to think of the obvious STAG V8 then it got silly as other more obscure and hilarious noises crept into my brain cell,so I thought I'de check to see if It's just me that needs professional help or are there more of us out there

[milothedog]

news item this morning about the silent killer ie. electric cars as people cant hear them approaching and suggestions as to what sound should be created to warn people of their approach.well of course it took me a fraction of a nano second to think of the obvious STAG V8 then it got silly as other more obscure and hilarious noises crept into my brain cell,so I thought I'de check to see if It's just me that needs professional help or are there more of us out there

I have experience of this first hand, my company has 3 electric Vans and a Flat bed truck in our fleet of support vehicles. As the training manger I had to arrange / deliver familiarisation training. Whilst out playing in the Flat bed I had a woman with her back to me walking a dog who just stepped off the pavement to cross the road. She didn't hear it, the look on her face when she see that big Red grille with a Ford badge on it !!. I Found out the Brakes worked though. The other Issue is that they recharge the batteries (recover some energy) when braking, and the retardation is quite strong. This means the vehicle slows down readily without touching the brakes until the last minute when you need to bring it to a stop so no brake lights come on until then and those travelling behind you are often caught out!!!

Ian.

[Stagdad]

Ideal opportunity for manufacturers to promote there brand name, so we will have cars shouting "Toyota Toyota Toyota"
etc the mind boggles at the noise.
Cheers steve

[richardthestag]

dunno what they are talking about, although a gwiz, Prius (i know that it is hybred but still quiet at low speed when running on heavy motors and batteries etc) may be silent at low speeds you can always hear other motorists and pedestrians shouting out useful comments such as, "pious", "tossa!", "sanctimonious tw@t" etc etc