27/08/2026
Electric vehicles are so quiet that we're beginning to wonder if the safest option is to wind the windows down and turn the stereo up.
Not for the driver.... so the pedestrians hear you coming 😄
Jokes aside, the silence of electric vehicles creates a genuine safety consideration.
For more than a century, pedestrians, cyclists and other road users have subconsciously used engine noise as a cue that a vehicle is approaching. Even without looking directly at the road, people often hear a vehicle before they see it.
With an EV, that cue may be reduced or absent altogether.
That means safe, predictable driving becomes even more important.
- Strictly adhere to speed limits.
- Slow early when approaching pedestrian crossings, car parks and shared spaces.
- Be prepared for pedestrians who may not realise you're there.
- Use indicators early to communicate your intentions.
- Maintain excellent observation and hazard perception.
- Expect that other road users may not have detected your presence.
As drivers, we often rely on seeing hazards.
In an electric vehicle, it's worth remembering that others may be relying on hearing you.
And if they can't hear you coming, your observation, anticipation and predictability become even more important.
Technology is changing rapidly. Human behaviour takes longer to catch up.
