The problem of near-silent hybrid and electric cars ploughing into pedestrians has been acknowledged by General Motors, which is working with a group of blind people
to develop audible warning systems
Although the problem is a very real one, especially for the sight-impaired, we can't help thinking that a city full of beeping electric cars would drive its residents insane. The system being developed by GM brand Chevrolet for its Volt hybrid is currently driver operated, but the suggestion is that future versions will be automated - possibly as a result of future legislation.
And what happens at night, we wonder, when it's currently illegal to sound your vehicle horn... Pesky hybrids, tsk!