Here is one thing at least I never considered about hybrid and electric vehicles. Can there quietness be a hazard to pedestrians?
Sen. John Kerry believes they could be and is pushing the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to establish a minimum sound requirement for hybrid and electric vehicles to alert pedestrians of there approach.
You can read more here:
Sen. Kerry: Hybrid cars shouldn’t be too quiet - BostonHerald.com
Personally, One of the things that interest me about hybrids and e-vehicles is there quietness. And as far as pedestrians is concerned my first reaction is "Look both ways before you cross the street."
But I do see the point Sen. Kerry is making with vision impaired pedestrians. It would make it much more dangerous for them not knowing a hybrid or e vehicle was coming down the road.