How to Make Electric / Hybrid Cars Safer: Downloadable Ringtones

Since Hybrid and electric vehicles were first launched, there has always been one safety aspect that road safety campaigners were always worried about, and that is their lack of noise at slow speeds. Now, after all this time there could be a solution to this problem and that is by giving the car access to downloadable ringtones, much the same as what you get for your cell phones.

Autoblog came across an article on The New York Times; they explain that these will be called “Car Tone”. The system is not in place yet, but it will not be long before the system is in place. There is a car that is already using a system, but in a different league.

The Fisker Karma is a plug-in hybrid with a difference; it goes on sale next year and will cost a massive $87,900. There are speakers in the bumpers, which will mimic the sounds of various things, such as an F1 car. I would be a bit worried if I heard and F1 car come screeching up to set of light where I was waiting to cross.

It certainly seems strange that vehicles made to care more for the environment are causing such a safety issue with how quiet that are, at least this problem will soon be solved.