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Battery-powered electric cars and gas-electric hybrid vehicles might emit less chemical pollutants into the air. But eco-vehicles, such as Toyota's 2012 Prius V hybrid, will have another kind of emission: Noise.
In July, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced new regulations requiring electric vehicles (EVs) to emit sounds to alert pedestrians and others of their proximity to a nearly-silent running EV.
On YouTube, Toyota explained how its "vehicle proximity notification" system would work on its upcoming Prius hybrid. Like the artificial noise-maker in the Nissan Leaf, Toyota's system emits a "futuristic hum" from external speakers only when the Prius is moving at 15 mph or slower.
However, the Prius' noise-maker will also raise or lower the pitch of the hum based on the vehicle's speed. This gives pedestrians the ability to gauge the speed and direction of the Prius, says Toyota.
Prius' artificial engine noise demonstrated, explained [CNet]
Toyota demos Prius' proximity notification system, touts 'futuristic' purr [Engadget]
For more on the new Prius V, see our related reports:
Pricing: 2012 Toyota Prius V and Prius Plug-in
Behind the wheel: 2012 Toyota Prius V wagon
Video: 2012 Prius V second drive
—Paul Eng
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