From The Detroit News - May 20, 2010:
Carmakers to give quiet electrics some noiseThat ought to be interesting. Imagine walking outside listening to the sounds of thousands of "hy-birds" chirping away. Manhattan will never be the same.
Move designed to alert the blind, others that vehicles are operating
BY DAVID SHEPARDSON
The Detroit News
Washington — Drivers of electric and hybrid cars won’t be able to rev noisy engines but chances are they still will be heard.
Automakers and advocates for the blind reached an agreement, announced Wednesday, that would require automakers to equip “quiet cars” with chirps or other sounds to alert blind pedestrians, bikers and others that a vehicle is nearby.