AVAS acoustic vehicle alerting system
Quiet Vehicle Sounder (QVS)
AVAS acoustic vehicle alerting system for quiet electric and hybrid vehicles
Electric and hybrid vehicles can be difficult to hear at low speeds, particularly in busy urban areas, depots, campuses and shared spaces. Brigade’s Quiet Vehicle Sounder (QVS) helps warn pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users that a quiet vehicle is approaching.
Designed as an AVAS, or acoustic vehicle alerting system, QVS uses Brigade’s patented bbs-tek® White Sound® technology with tonal sounds to create a directional, locatable warning sound. The system supports driver awareness around vulnerable road users while helping fleets meet the practical challenges of quieter vehicle operation.
Brigade Quiet Vehicle Sounder (QVS)
AVAS acoustic vehicle alerting system
Models
- QVS-001-75
Part Number: 5385
Specification Overview
- 12-24Vdc
- Pitch and volume increase with vehicle speed
- Operational below speeds of 20mph
- Speaker Size (WxHxD): 120 x 135 x 120mm
- ECU Size (WxHxD): 93 x 26 x 185mm
- Speaker durability: IP68
- ECU durability: IP30
- 2-year warranty
Features
- Warns pedestrians and other VRU’s that a quiet vehicle is approaching
- Combined multi-frequency bbs-tek® technology and tonal sounds
– Multi-frequency sound
– Directional and locatable – The sound is only heard in the hazard zone. - Front speaker system
- Pitch and volume increase with vehicle speed to mimic an internal combustion engine
- Operational below speeds of 20mph
- Front sounder operational when ignition activated (silenced when parking brake applied)
- Uses Tachograph speed signal**
- Sounder unit: Speaker
Contents
- 1 x Speaker: QVS-SPK-01 – Part number: 5389
- 1 x ECU: QVS-000-ECU – Part Number: 5387
Power
- Current: Max 0.1 Amps
Durability & Standards
- Mechanical vibration: 10G
- Operating temperature:
-3 0 to +70°C - CE marked
- E-Marked: UNECE R10 compliant
- FCC approved
- IC Marked
- UNECE R138 compliant*
- 49 CFR Part 571 and 585 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards compliant**
* QVS helps achieve compliance for the vehicle.
** If your vehicle is not equipped with a Tachograph, please contact us for alternative installation methods
Need Help Choosing an Alert System?
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Benefits
AVAS acoustic vehicle alerting sytem
Enhanced Pedestrian Awareness
Provides a clear warning sound that helps pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users identify approaching vehicles.
Safer Low-Speed Operation
Improves vehicle detectability during low-speed manoeuvres, where electric vehicles produce minimal noise.
Designed for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
Addresses the unique challenges of quiet vehicle technology without compromising the benefits of reduced environmental noise.
Supports Fleet Safety Objectives
Forms part of a proactive safety strategy, helping operators reduce risk wherever vehicles and pedestrians share the same space.
Product Resources
Quiet Vehicle Sounder (QVS)
Product Data
Model |
Part Number |
Product Data |
| QVS-001-75 | 5385 | View data |
Product Data
The Problem With Silence
Without an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS), electric and hybrid vehicles are almost silent; they are only audible once they have built up some speed (approximately 20kph) when wind and road noise generate enough sound that they can be heard. Studies have concluded that electric and hybrid vehicles pose a danger to vulnerable road users (VRU) and increase the risk of incidents with pedestrians by up to 80%. Sound is an important contributor to road safety for pedestrians, not only for the blind or visually impaired.
Brigade’s Quiet Vehicle Sounder creates a “sssshhhhh” sound which is gentle on the ear and dissipates quickly once the vehicle has passed, meaning it can only be heard in the danger zone (0-20mph). People living and working in the surrounding areas will not be impacted by unnecessary sound, reducing the impact on peoples health.
Legislation affecting quiet vehicles
Both the US and the EU are introducing standards to ensure minimum sound requirements for electric and hybrid vehicles to protect VRUs. An Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) will need to be fitted to make electric or hybrid vehicles “sound similar” to vehicles with combustion engines when travelling at low speed.
UNECE R138
From July 2019, all new hybrid and electric vehicles to be sold in Europe will need an acoustic vehicle alerting system to emit sound when travelling at low speeds.
NHTSA 49 CFR Part 571 and 585
From September 2020, all hybrid and electric vehicles in USA will need an acoustic vehicle alerting system to emit sound when travelling at low speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make quiet electric vehicles safer for pedestrians?
Quiet electric vehicles can be made safer for pedestrians by using external warning sound systems that alert people to the vehicle’s presence, particularly at low speeds where tyre and road noise are minimal. Technologies such as Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS) help improve awareness for pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
How does a white sound reversing alarm work?
A white sound reversing alarm emits a broadband sound made up of multiple frequencies rather than a traditional single-tone beep. This sound is easier for people to locate and identify, helping pedestrians determine the direction of a reversing vehicle more quickly while reducing noise disturbance in surrounding areas.
What are the regulations for electric vehicle warning sounds?
In many regions, regulations require certain electric and hybrid vehicles to produce an audible warning sound at low speeds to help alert pedestrians and cyclists. Requirements vary by market, vehicle type and application, so operators should ensure their vehicles comply with the relevant local legislation and standards.
What is an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) for electric vehicles?
An Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) is a safety technology that generates an artificial warning sound when an electric vehicle is travelling at low speeds. The system helps compensate for the reduced noise produced by electric powertrains, improving pedestrian awareness and supporting safer operation in urban environments, depots and work sites.
Why do electric buses need to make a sound at low speeds?
Electric buses are significantly quieter than conventional diesel-powered vehicles, particularly when moving at low speeds. Adding an external warning sound helps pedestrians, cyclists and other road users detect the vehicle’s presence, reducing the risk of collisions in busy public areas and transport hubs.
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Case Studies
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University of Birmingham Adopts QVS
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