The EV warning sound rule has reached its second stage. From 1 November 2026, Australian Design Rule 113/00 applies to all vehicles in its scope, not just newly introduced models, according to the ADR 113/00 standard on the Federal Register of Legislation.
The rule requires an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System, a sound that lets pedestrians hear a quiet electric drivetrain coming. New models have had to comply since 1 November 2025.
For buyers, the practical questions are which cars it covers, whether you can turn it off, and what it means when you're shopping for a used EV or hybrid.
The sound works at walking-pace speeds
The standard's sound requirements cover speeds above 0km/h up to and including 20km/h. That's the car park, driveway and laneway range where an electric motor is hardest to hear. Makers can also run the sound outside that range.
There is a ceiling as well as a minimum. Under the standard's test conditions, a car fitted with the system can't exceed 75 dB(A) when driving forward, and it may also emit a sound while stationary.
The federal government says these vehicles will be no noisier than a standard combustion engine vehicle, but the sound will be easy for pedestrians to identify.
Which EVs and hybrids the rule covers
ADR 113/00 applies to electrified passenger cars, off-road passenger vehicles, buses and goods vehicles that can move in at least one forward gear or in reverse without a combustion engine running. That captures battery EVs, fuel cell vehicles and hybrids that can move on electric power alone.
Motorcycles and trailers are not covered. Under the standard's wording, a vehicle that can't move without its engine running isn't captured either, so it isn't a blanket rule for every car with a hybrid badge.
You can't switch the sound off
If you were hoping to mute it in your driveway, a compliant car won't let you. The standard prohibits any pause function that lets the driver halt the system.
Manufacturers can offer driver-selectable sounds, but each one must comply and be approved. On a test drive, ask whether the car has more than one sound and listen to it at car park speed before you commit. It's a noise you'll hear every time you leave a car park.
Buying a used EV or hybrid? Listen for it
The federal government says motorists who already own a hybrid or electric vehicle won't need to modify it. The rule doesn't change the used EV or hybrid you're looking at today.
Some makers fitted low-speed sounds before the rule made them compulsory, so an older car may or may not have one. If it matters to you, for example when reversing past kids or along a shared laneway, listen for it at walking pace and in reverse on the test drive.
Our used electric car buying checklist covers the other checks worth making on a second-hand EV, from battery evidence and warranty to charging.
Why the government made it compulsory
The government estimates ADR 113/00 will prevent 68 fatalities and 2675 serious injuries by 2060, an average of one fatality and 75 serious injuries a year. It also estimates a community saving of more than $200 million over that period.
It describes the rule as a key safety initiative for people who are blind or have low vision, helping them navigate streets and car parks as quieter electrified vehicles become more common.
Shopping for an EV or hybrid now
On a new car the alert sound is a compliance item, not an option, so it shouldn't appear as an extra on a quote. Your negotiation still comes down to price, stock and delivery timing.
If you'd like to compare electrified cars that are already on the road, you can browse the used electrified cars listed in Victoria. If you've narrowed it down to a small electric SUV such as the Hyundai Kona Electric, the model page is a good starting point.
How can Carseekers help?
Carseekers helps you compare prices on new and used cars, including EVs and hybrids, so you can see what a fair deal looks like before you sign. If you're weighing up finance for your next car, Loanseekers can help you compare car-finance options.
The finer details
Your questions answered.
When did the EV warning sound rule start in Australia?
Australian Design Rule 113/00 applied to new models from 1 November 2025 and to all vehicles in scope from 1 November 2026. It requires electric, fuel cell and hybrid vehicles that can move without a combustion engine running to emit an alert sound at low speed.
Can you turn off the pedestrian warning sound on an EV?
No. ADR 113/00 prohibits any pause function that lets the driver halt the alert system. Manufacturers can offer a choice of driver-selectable sounds, but each sound must comply with the standard and be approved.
Do I need to fit a warning sound to my existing EV or hybrid?
No. The federal government says motorists who already own a hybrid or electric vehicle will not need to modify it to comply. If you're buying a used EV or hybrid, listen at walking pace and in reverse on the test drive to find out whether it has a low-speed sound.
