Silent But Deadly: Hybrid Cars May Include Fake Vroom for Safety

For decades, automakers have been on a quest to make cars quieter: an auto that purrs, and glides almost silently in traffic.

They have finally succeeded. Plug-in hybrid and, it turns out, not only reduce air pollution, they cut noise pollution as well with their whisper-quiet motors. But that has created a different problem. They aren’t noisy enough.

So safety experts, worried that hybrids pose a threat if pedestrians, children and others can’t hear them approaching, want automakers to supply some digitally enhanced vroom. Indeed, just as cellphones have ring tones, “car tones” may not be far behind — an option for owners of electric vehicles to choose the sound their cars emit.....

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topneuro - 10/14/2009 10:32:13 AM

+1 Boost

Car tones...
Sounds as exciting as Babes on Burkas Calendar.

r15mohd - 10/14/2009 12:32:16 PM

+1 Boost

this pic of the Prius looks really good...the color really stands-out!!!

MSP6 - 10/14/2009 12:43:05 PM

+4 Boost

Silent Toyotas with "un-ziptied" floor mats = Major threat for pedestrians

Shredmo - 10/14/2009 1:19:06 PM

+2 Boost

Whenever I am commuting by bicycle and see a Prius or similar vehicle, I always try and determine whether they are running on battery or gas. While in motion, the tire noise has ALWAYS been too loud to determine for certain. They are quiet compared to a regular gas/diesel automobile, but by no means silent.

LexSucks - 10/14/2009 1:21:05 PM

+1 Boost

Not needed.

answer - 10/14/2009 4:44:42 PM

+1 Boost

Pretty sure there is enough damn noise in the world today.

Joe_Limon - 10/14/2009 5:09:39 PM

+1 Boost

Isn't most of the noise made by cars road/tire noise? I can't hear my engine when driving unless I am past half throttle.

vtandon - 10/15/2009 12:17:02 PM

+1 Boost

That hilarious, soon you will be able to download ringtones for your hybrid.