It shouldn’t matter all that much here in the Philippines but the fact is, electric vehicles are becoming more commonplace and practical. Out of this increasing popularity there rose a quirky little problem that plagued the safety concerns of pedestrians, bicyclists, and pet owners everywhere – the plague of the silent car.

It’s not going to be much of a problem yet here due to the surfeit of electric vehicles (except for the e-jeepney perhaps?) yet in other corners of the world it’s a very real and very vexing problem. For a long time many avoided implementing the obvious solution to this dilemma, simply because it is so astoundingly obvious and quirky as to merit laughter when announced. Nonetheless, a quirky solution is there for every quirky problem –

                                             The Prius has so far scared the bejeebus out of approximately a million pedestrians.

I am referring to putting speakers on the otherwise silent electric vehicle to announce its presence with a discrete growl, or thrum, depending on your preference. Lotus’ Safe and Sound technology does exactly that, mounting a 300w speaker right behind the front grill to announce its presence to ambling pedestrians and oblivious pets. Efforts have been made to implement this “warning sound” direct from the electric motors, with limited to no success – a high-pitched whine isn’t exactly set to endear a vehicle to pedestrians and owners alike.

                                             The Lightning GT - the electric sports car that is actually worthy of a Corvette sound track.

After the initial furor over artificially bringing back internal-combustion sounds to a decidedly non-combustion vehicle died down, the possibilities start to emerge – why not imbue your staid, gentlemanly Prius with the attitude and vocal authority of a top-fuel competitor? Or perhaps even a V-10 Viper? While you’re at it, there’s nothing stopping you from using the soundtrack of the SpeedRacer flick for when you’re idling at a stoplight. Certain limitation exist for these of course – you’d need some very heavy-duty subs, alternators, perhaps even extra batteries to replicate something as sweet sounding as a true, tuned-exhaust soundtrack connected directly to a big-bore, big-throated V-10 engine. Then again I can see car modders not caring too much – in this vein sound modifications like these are in the same ballpark as neon lights and non-functional airscoops on the hood.

In the name of safety – a whole new modding fad might just be born – make your puny electric vehicle sound like a million bucks (Bugatti Veyron?) or like a lawnmower – either way you’ll get lots of attention and lots of passerby’s getting out of the way.