Electric Cars in India to Have Warning Sounds for Pedestrians from October 2026

The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, introducing new requirements for electric vehicles under categories M and N.

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As per the amendment to Rule 120, all electrified vehicles falling under categories M and N will be required to install an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS).

The system must meet audibility requirements specified under AIS-173, as amended from time to time. This requirement will remain in effect until corresponding standards are notified by the Bureau of Indian Standards under the BIS Act, 2016.

The ministry has clarified that the amendment is limited to the introduction of the acoustic warning requirement for the identified categories of electric vehicles. Other technical, design or operational requirements specified under the existing rules remain unchanged.

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“Provided also that on and after the 1st day of October 2026 in case of new models, and the 1st day of October 2027 in case of existing models, electrified vehicles of category M and N shall be fitted with Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System confirming to the requirements with regard to audibility as specified in AIS-173, as amended from time to time, till the corresponding BIS specifications are notified under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 (11 of 2016),” the notification read.

The mandatory AVAS requirement follows a consultation process initiated in September 2025, when draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules were issued. The draft notification invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders and members of the public who were likely to be affected by the proposed changes.

The draft rules were made available to the public on September 25, 2025. Feedback received during the consultation period was reviewed by the government before finalising the amendment.