The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed standardized noise limit regulations specifically targeting electric and battery-operated vehicles, according to a draft notification reported by Zee Business on September 2, 2026. The regulatory proposal addresses safety concerns regarding the near-silent operation of battery-powered automobiles at low speeds. The draft establishes specific decibel thresholds that manufacturers must incorporate into both internal and external noise profiles.
The exact decibel limits for different vehicle categories and the final timeline for mandatory compliance are currently under public consultation.
Federal transport officials emphasized that acoustic uniformity is necessary to prevent urban traffic incidents involving vulnerable road users. A MoRTH official stated, 'Standardizing noise emissions for EVs is a critical step in ensuring pedestrian safety, particularly for the visually impaired, while maintaining the environmental benefits of electric mobility.'
The regulatory framework aligns domestic oversight with international precedents. This move aligns India with the European Union Quiet Road Transport Vehicles regulations, which mandated Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems for all new electric vehicle types starting in 2019.
Electric vehicle manufacturers operating in India will face increased research and development and production costs to integrate sound-emitting hardware into their existing vehicle architectures. Electric vehicle manufacturers have raised concerns regarding the potential cost increase associated with installing Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems to meet these new standards, as reported by industry trade bodies.
