The Toyota Prius - now with optional noise
Toyota are launching a noise device for the Prius to create a whirring sound when the Prius runs just on the electric motor.
One of the big selling points for the Toyota Prius is its ability to run for short distances at low speed on electric-only power. Not only does that make the Prius zero emission at point of use, it also helps our towns and cities become more peacuful without the constant background roar of engines.
Except that peace and quiet is causing problems. It seems we all use sound to judge safety as well as sight (of course the blind rely just on sound) and the quietness of electric cars – as the Prius can be – is being blamed for a rise in pedestrian accidents.
US research claims that pedestrian crashes at low speed are twice as frequent with hybrids, something researchers blame on the quietness of hybrids at low speed (we reckon it could be drivers dozing off with boredom behind the wheel of a Prius and crashing in to unsuspecting pedestrians). But Toyota has a cunning plan to overcome the problem – a noise machine.
Going on sale in Japan at the end of this month for around £100 it is basically a speaker dishing out a synthesized whirring noise which changes in pitch depending on speed when the Prius is running just on the electric motor. Joy of joys, it can also be retro-fitted and Toyota plan making it available for other hybrids in its range.
Something tells me our ‘elf ‘n’ safety will be making this compulsory in the UK before long. Which will make our towns and cities sound like the inside of a broken fan.
Oh, goodie.
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