As Electric Vehicles (EVs) become more common on our roads, they offer an incredible opportunity for calmer, healthier communities that we can’t afford to miss. EVs are naturally quieter than gas-powered vehicles, so much so that regulators require Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS) at low speeds to protect pedestrians and support sensory accessibility.

At No More Noise, we fully support pedestrian safety, but we are actively working to close regulatory loopholes that allow automakers to add artificial, high-decibel exterior sounds, similar to modified exhaust systems on gas-powered vehicles, for vanity or driver entertainment.

Fixing EV Sound Regulations

Under current UN standards, EVs must adhere to strict upper decibel limits for safety-related AVAS sounds, but regulators are now closing gaps for EV noise by capping extra synthetic sound emissions (ESES) under UN Regulation 51 (Supplement 11) and enforcing declining sound levels as vehicle speed increases. These measures help ensure AVAS can alert pedestrians at low speeds without introducing unnecessary noise pollution on our streets.

However, two critical regulatory challenges remain:

1. The "High-Speed Gap" (>80 km/h): While Supplement 11 establishes a strict limit curve for synthetic noise up to 80 km/h, the current binding testing and control range ends at 80 km/h. Above this speed, an explicit loophole exists where automakers could theoretically engineer artificial "highway roars" or high-speed "sport modes" for expressway driving unless regulators extend the mandatory testing window.

2. North American Adoption Choice: Progress at the UN in Geneva does not automatically change the law in North America. Because Canada and the United States utilize self-certification frameworks rather than the UN type-approval system, national agencies (Transport Canada under CMVSS 1106 / 141 and NHTSA under FMVSS 141) must explicitly choose to adopt and incorporate these UN protections, such as mandatory Default Quiet Modes upon startup and strict 68–72 dB Phase 3 pass-by caps, into domestic law.

The stakes of this adoption choice are significant. A legal 72 dB pass-by limit sounds like a standard passenger car or a quiet vacuum cleaner, blending more naturally into urban traffic. Without strict domestic rules, automakers can exploit loopholes to sell EVs capable of pumping out 126 dB of simulated exhaust roar, a 250,000-fold jump in sound energy that matches the volume of a jet engine taking off or a thunderclap overhead.

Participating in the UN Task Force on Vehicle Sound in Barcelona

Addressing vehicle sound issues at the manufacturing source is a global issue and warrants international collaboration.

No More Noise collaborates with Quiet Communities (QC), a US-based nonprofit accredited by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) as an official non-governmental organization (NGO). Through this collaboration, NMN and QC are able to provide input into ongoing discussions.

NMN and QC are heading to Barcelona to present a policy brief on EV noise at a meeting of the UN Task Force on Vehicle Sound (TF-VS / GRBP) on October 20th, 2026.

Our delegation will bring two distinct perspectives to the discussion:

• Ingrid Buday (Executive Director, No More Noise): Presenting on community impacts, urban liveability, and real-world resident experiences.

• Dr. Jamie Banks (President, Quiet Communities): Presenting on the problem of road traffic noise, including its health and environmental impacts, the sensory burden on vulnerable populations, and the potential for broader adoption of EVs to improve health and environmental quality.

We are not alone in this work. We have learned that there is alignment and support from international government delegations, including Norway, France, Germany, and Sweden, which recognize the substantial impact of road traffic noise on public health.

Support Our Global & Local Advocacy

Real, long-term change happens when we maintain a strong, unified voice at the table with international regulators and local leaders. Your support allows us to continue bringing data-driven solutions directly to decision-makers.

• Donate today to support our work and help us create healthier, more liveable communities!