About as much as I think about the Jetta commercial. We bought a 2010 Prius, not Lotus fantasies. Bob Wilson
Guess if someone was gonna shove a sound generator down my throat for my EV then I'd like to be able to modulate the choice and volume of sound somewhat, and I like the 'futuristic' sounds option wihen in slow EV.
Engine noise. Tail fins. Bell bottoms. Polyester leisure suits. Some things are just destined to go away, with only the clueless trying to bring them back.
It would make more sense if there were as many or more Prius with noise makers installed than plug-in Prius. But fundamentally we know noise doesn't work because noise generating cars are already killing too many pedestrians. The old Chestnut about there not being enough hybrids to do a statistically valid study no longer hold true. Still, if someone thinks they need a noise maker: CAR REVERSING BACK UP BEEP LIGHT - buy one or more and replace a fog light bulb or turn signal. Preach noise makers to others by doing the right thing and lead by example. But if we're going to 'do the experiment' make it a universal requirement for all cars with a sunset provision, say 10 years with an annual performance report by the NHTSA. Might as well have it built-in to the backup lights too. If after 10 years we find there is no evidence of a safety effect, let it expire. Bob Wilson
