FLEETDRIVE
In the United States, Tesla’ s Boombox mode lets users modify external warning tones in private settings, though such use is restricted on public roads. These early examples demonstrate how EV sound design may one day extend beyond standard compliance to offer controlled customisation.
For fleet vehicles, adaptable sound profiles could serve functional purposes. Distinct tones could improve awareness in depots or work zones, signal different operational modes, or enhance audibility for workers wearing hearing protection.
Balancing Safety and Creativity
Safety remains the core priority. UNECE regulations specify that artificial vehicle sounds must vary in pitch and volume according to speed and acceleration, allowing pedestrians to interpret direction and movement naturally.
Automakers are collaborating with acoustic engineers to produce sounds that are clear but not disruptive. Groups such as the European Blind Union, along with accessibility advocates in Australia and New Zealand, have been instrumental in ensuring these systems support people with vision impairments.
An Evolving Acoustic Landscape
As EV technology matures, vehicle sound is becoming an integral aspect of design, combining safety, compliance, and communication. For fleets, engineered audio can improve workplace safety, enhance brand consistency, and help vehicles integrate more effectively into urban and industrial environments.
With electric adoption growing across the world, the sound of transport is shifting. Instead of mechanical noise, the roads of the future will feature purposefully designed tones that serve both function and identity, ensuring vehicles remain heard as well as seen.
ISSUE 55 OCTOBER 2025 / WWW. AFMA. ORG. AU 15