Minimum Sound Requirement for HEVs

Summary#

These final regulations add a new Canadian standard, CMVSS 141, that requires many new light hybrid and electric vehicles to make a minimum level of sound at low speeds. Manufacturers can meet that requirement by following either UN Regulation No. 138 or the U.S. standard FMVSS 141. The rule came into force on December 21, 2022.

What it does#

• Adds CMVSS 141 to the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations.
• Requires new hybrid and electric passenger cars, multi-purpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses and low-speed vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less to have a sound-generating system at low speeds.
• Lets manufacturers choose one of two test/technical paths:
  • follow UN Regulation No. 138 (tests as set out in Annex 3); or
  • follow FMVSS 141 (U.S. Standard No. 141, with tests in provisions S6 and S7).
• Notes some technical differences between the two options, for example testing speeds of 0 km/h to 20 km/h (UN) versus 0 km/h to 32 km/h (U.S.), and the U.S. standard requires sound while the vehicle is stationary with drive engaged.
• Says the regulations apply to new or imported vehicles covered by the standard and do not require retrofitting vehicles already on the road.

Who's affected#

• Vehicle makers and importers who sell new light hybrid and electric vehicles in Canada.
• Transport Canada will carry out some compliance testing of models and monitor defects or non‑compliance.
• Pedestrians and pedal cyclists, especially people who are blind or partially sighted, are the group the rule is intended to help.
• The government estimates the incremental cost for compliance testing at $289,483 (present value over 10 years). Typical per-test costs mentioned are $5,000 (outdoor ISO track) or $7,700 (hemi-anechoic chamber).

Why it matters#

• Hybrid and electric vehicles are much quieter at low speeds than conventional cars. That can make them harder for pedestrians and cyclists — especially people who are blind or partially sighted — to detect.
• The change aims to reduce collisions by making these vehicles more audible at low speeds. Between 2013 and 2017, collisions involving light HEVs were linked to about 19 fatalities and 991 injuries for pedestrians, and about 3 fatalities and 523 injuries for pedal cyclists (data cited by the regulator).
• Allowing either the UN or U.S. standard keeps Canadian rules aligned with major markets. That lowers surprises for manufacturers and limits trade friction.
• The regulation is aimed at new vehicles only, and officials say most models already sold in Canada voluntarily meet one of the two standards, so industry impact is expected to be small.