Public consultation open on life-saving alerting technology for electric vehicles
More Australians than ever before are driving electric vehicles, with the numbers almost doubling in 2022, from 44,000 EVs on our roads, to more than 83,000.
As the popularity of electric vehicles grows, we are committed to ensuring they are safe for both the driver and all other road users.
Consultation is now open on the potential mandate of life-saving acoustic vehicle alerting systems (AVAS) for light electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia.
This technology allows EVs to produce an external sound, alerting vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, to their approach - thereby decreasing the risk of a collision.
This is particularly important for the blind and low-vision community, whose members rely on sound to negotiate the road network independently.
A survey by the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) found that people in this community felt particularly vulnerable on roads due to EVs, with 35 per cent reporting they had experienced a collision or near-collision with an EV.
This technology is already mandated across most major vehicle markets, including the European Union, United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, China and the United States.
A cost-benefit analysis for mandating AVAS in light EVs in Australia, supported by independent analysis by MUARC and advice from manufacturers, indicates that 65 lives could be saved and 5,000 injuries avoided over a 35-year period.
As this analysis only covers pedestrian trauma, the benefits for Australian communities will likely be far greater – given AVAS technology will also reduce the risk of crashes involving other road users, particularly cyclists.
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts has released an Impact Analysis consultation paper to seek the public’s views on this technology, the costs and benefits, as well as its implementation.
While all submissions are welcome, feedback is being specifically sought on areas including:
Support for the proposed introduction of AVAS for new light EVs
The cost-benefit analysis, including the assumptions on effectiveness of the technology
Concerns on functional and performance requirements, test requirements, or implementation
Applicable vehicle categories, implementation timeframes, and alternative standards
The feasibility of mandating AVAS for heavy vehicles in the future
Consultation on the AVAS Impact Analysis paper is open until Friday, 26 May 2023.
To view the paper or to make a submission, please visit: Have your say | Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts