Nissan Adds Pedestrian Warning Sound System to Leaf, Previews 'Test' Models
By John O'Dell June 11, 2010
Nissan Motor Co. is providing the first test drives in what it is calling "production test" units of its Leaf EV to a lucky 500 shareholders, government officials, analysts media types and early customers in Japan over the next nine days.
Unfortunately, no U.S. media were invited to the showing at Nissan's Oppama test track facility, just outside Yokohama, so we'll have to wait until the Leaf test drive event comes here later this summer to try one of the almost-ready-for-production Leafs (we've driven a Versa with the Leaf powertrain, but this will be the first time people outside of Nissan have driven the actual Leaf).
Meantime, we can report that one new feature on the car will be Nissan's "Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians" system.
It's a sound generator that makes it easy for people outside the nearly silent car to hear it approaching while not encroaching on the quiet that those inside the cabin might be enjoying.
Nissan says the system also will be used on the Japanese-market Fuga hybrid slated to go on sale in the fall (it will come to the U.S. next year as the Infiniti M35 hybrid).
It was developed in response to concerns that quiet electric vehicles could pose a danger to the sight- and hearing impaired as well as to unaware pedestrians as they approach or begin accelerating into crosswalks after stopping for traffic signals.
Nissan said in a press release late Thursday that the sound system "will make sweeping, high-low sounds" that will be loudest when the car is started and will be generated intermittently when it is backing up.
The EV sounds are generated by a synthesizer located in the dash and broadcast via a loudspeaker in the front of the car (the engine compartment on a conventionally powered vehicle).
The system will operate when the Leaf (and Fuga) is traveling at speeds of less than 25 kilometers per hour (15 mph).
While Japan already has developed guidelines for pedestrian warnings in electric drive vehicles that make little noise when in operation, federal regulators in the U.S. are still studying the issue.
Nissan nevertheless said that the "Approaching Vehicle" sound system will be standard in all Leaf EVs worldwide.
The Leaf goes on sale in select U.S. markets, as well as in Japan, Portugal and the Netherlands in December and in the United Kingdom in February 2011. Global sales are expected to begin in 2012.
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This 'sounds' like a good compromise!
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