Currently you are able to hear a petrol/diesel vehicle like a car or a truck approaching when you are a pedestrian. Unfortunately most people are so glued to their cellphones they do not even look before they cross a road.
In the case of an EV like #APTERA this is going to be even more of a surprise when you woke up in heaven or hell and realize you are actually dead :) You will not even have a hint what happened because last thing you will remember is crossing that road.
Maybe they should add that deer horn from Canada or Alaska on the vehicle so that it at least make some noise when driving so that people can realize it is comming :)
Although the requirement has been delayed again, there is a US requirement for EVs to make noise below 18.6 mph. My 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid has this noisemaker, and it does draw attention since it sounds different than a normal car.
The Envirnomental Assessment from NHTSA is available here:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/es/document/minimum-sound-requirements-hybrid-and-electric-vehicles-final-environmental-assessment
What I find odd is that there are literally millions of hybrids (both regular and plug in) which when in town are very frequently on battery mode and are just as silent as a full EV but nobody says anything
Even though my Leaf has sound at low speeds, I have still followed several people down the quiet streets they were walking thinking they were alone. The surprise on their faces is fun to watch, but definitely something to be aware of. When they think they are alone, they will casually drift out into the middle of the street.
I've been investigating this sound issue informally for quite a while. It is my opinion that most of what you hear from a modern oncoming ICE vehicle is tire noise. By the time you hear a vehicle approaching you at 30 mph, it's too late.
I do think that low-speed in reverse needs some sort of warning, similar to what the trucks use. Back-up cameras are a great safety innovation, but the driver still needs to direct their attention to the screen! Drivers in a hurry may not always look before they start to move.
Have you ever heard a Rolls Royce or a Bentley? Those are so silent you can't even hear them. But my thoughts are that for those with the Enhanced Audio option, people will be able to hear the bass from the dub-step a mile away! 😂 And if anyone play that dub-step full blast on their Aptera at 3 am anywhere near my bedroom window it indeed may become an existential threat because an high-speed brick may be headed in that direction. 🤣
I think Darwin wrote a book about people who walk into traffic without looking. I’m pretty sure that is nature at work and not aptera’s problem.
Tire noise!. Crowds muttering "Look at that". Enhanced Audio bass vibrating you safe distance away. But anyway you will laminarly flow from one side to the other and as long as you don't get caught up in any pressure differentials will end up still standing. Otherwise scrambled. Should of been looking before crossing.
Ever heard of Tesla, VW, Ford, GM, Rivian, and many others. Aptera is not the first EV. If this becomes a problem, simply tie a six pack of beer cans to the rear. Those are aluminum so make it a twelve pack. Replace weekly. Don’t worry, be happy.
Here in the EU is required that the phev and EV make a noise under 30 km/h for that reason. Even when the problem is the lack of attention (glued to the phone) and the noise of the ICE cars which covers the sound of the evs, bicycles etc