We've produced an ongoing series about the plug-in and hybrid noise issue. And we'll soon add to the series -- we want to talk to the people no one's talked to: Noise experts and researchers as well as noise pollution activists.

But for now, we'll just offer a bit of commentary (can you tell we're not very happy about this?) -->

We knew it was coming: The Senate has passed the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Safety Act of 2010, which includes a "noisemaker" rule for hybrids and EVs. The House will surely pass this as well.

A few questions to reflect on -- and there are many more where these came from:

What does our world sound like with tens of millions of hybrids and EVs equipped with artificial noisemakers? What happens when 20, 30, 50 people back up in EVs/hybrids at the same in a parking garage? What do NYC streets sound like with thousands of EVs/hybrids throwing their noise up the walls of skyscrapers?

Absolutely no critical reflection on the part of politicians, a complete absence of long-term, bigger picture thinking, EVs and hybrids unfairly singled out (what about "dangerously" quiet ICEs?) -- and deafening silence from a public completely inured to the constant assault of urban noise.

The main issue is not whether adding sound is good or bad, but that there’s insufficient data on which to mandate it -- and even less analysis of the various technological solutions beyond simply making cars louder all the time.
--Plug-in Advocate & Activist Chelsea Sexton

What a surprise....

We'll close with an elouqent quote from plug-in advocate Chelsea Sexton, who writes that, "The main issue is not whether adding sound is good or bad, but that there’s insufficient data on which to mandate it -- and even less analysis of the various technological solutions beyond simply making cars louder all the time."

Too bad no one's listening to Chelsea and that critical, reflective thinking on this issue is apparently almost entirely lacking. The world will be worse off -- and noisier -- because of this absence.

Related articles-->

• EV drivers add voices to noise and safety debate
• National Federation of Blind pushes for constant noise to be added to EVs & hybrids
• Pedestrian, bicycle groups not as loud on EV noise as NFB
• Big automakers support artificial noise for plug ins

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