Science News

Japans near-silent hybrid cars have been called dangerous by the vision-impaired and some users, prompting a government review on whether to add a noise-making device, according to an official.

“We have received opinions from automobile users and vision-impaired people that they feel hybrid vehicles are dangerous,” a transport ministry official said.

The petrol-electric vehicles, which in recent months have become the countrys top-selling autos, hum along almost soundlessly when they are switched from fuel to battery mode.

The ministry has launched a panel of scholars, vision-impaired groups, consumers, police and the automobile industry to discuss the matter.

“Blind people depend on sounds when they walk, but there are no engine sounds from hybrid vehicles when running at low speed” and on the electric motor, he said.

They have not decided on what kind of sound should be used, only that it should induce a response of caution, he said.

“They decided to consider introducing a sound-making function” in petrol-electric hybrids when the 13-member panel held its first meeting Thursday, the official said.

The panel is expected to draw up a report by the end of the year. Its proposal will be discussed at the ministrys committee on automobile safety before it could be drafted into legislation.

“On the other hand, we should pay attention to residents (along roads) as hybrids are excellent in reducing noise,” the official added.

A cheaper, revamped Prius, rolled out in Japan in late May, has been a huge hit, drawing orders for 200,000 units, according to Toyota. It recently became the best-selling car in Japans domestic market.

Toyota Motor launched the worlds most popular hybrid, the Prius, in 1997.