Starting in September, all-electric, hybrid, fuel cell and battery-powered vehicles operating on public roads are required to emit a running noise like vehicles with an internal combustion engine. ECCO is introducing the Electric Vehicle Alert System® (EVAS) to help vehicle manufacturers comply with federal regulations in style. With a system that exceeds standards and offers a library of custom tones, EVAS is designed to keep pedestrians safe while allowing automakers to develop their own audible brand.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration outlines the minimum sound-emitting requirements in regulation FMVSS 141. Essentially, vehicles under 10,000lbs that operate on the road or in public spaces need an audible signature above ambient street noise when accelerating, decelerating, reversing, and idling. The measure is intended to protect vulnerable pedestrians and reduce injury crashes involving silently running cars. As the global leader in automotive audible warning, ECCO developed a safety solution that can accommodate any application within and beyond the scope of FMVSS 141.
EVAS offers the latest technology in the industry’s most reliable speaker, producing a 360-degree perimeter of sound around the vehicle from 0 to 18 mph. The system offers a wide frequency band (between 350Hz to 5KHz) and can be programmed with a variety of approved tones. Visit the dedicated EVAS page and listen to the sample sound profiles. These are just a few examples and ECCO will work with customers to develop their own sound, giving their vehicles a unique “voice.” Electric car manufacturer Karma Automotive partnered with ECCO to do just that. Joe Durre, Karma’s Director of Infotainment and Connected Car Systems, explains why they chose EVAS for their line of luxury cars, “this technology gives an added dimension to the personalized customization options that allow our electric vehicles to match our customers’ individual lifestyles and tastes, and help make our products even more special and unique.”
The system components are ruggedized and compact. EVAS can be easily installed in any vehicle, from passenger cars to autonomous vehicles to buses. Unlike other audible warning devices in the market today, EVAS speakers are designed and tested to the ECCO standard, which makes them highly resistant to corrosion, vibration, dust, salt, and moisture. Additionally, EVAS passed automotive testing protocols from multiple tier-one manufacturers and ECCO can share performance testing information with interested customers. Drivers and pedestrians alike can rely on ECCO’s devices to consistently perform in any environment or driving conditions.
Mount it, plug it in and design the sound profile. EVAS uses standard J1939 firmware but ECCO can easily accommodate proprietary or unique CANBus architecture for easy vehicle system integration. Upgrade a fleet with little lead time or incorporate EVAS into a new line of automobiles or service vehicles. Now is the time to get compliant and creative. Start thinking about new opportunities like audible branding to get noticed and command attention. ECCO stands ready to assist and answer any questions about this proactive safety sound solution. Using its audible signals and tones, give the electric vehicle its voice back and create an acoustic perimeter of safety.
