NHTSA May Require PWS to Be Retrofitted on All Electric Vehicles

By Lennon Cihak
NHTSA is investigating whether EVs should be retrofitted with pedestrian warning systems
NHTSA is investigating whether EVs should be retrofitted with pedestrian warning systems
Teslarati

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating whether hybrid-electric and electric vehicles from 1997 to present should have external speakers installed for pedestrian safety. The investigation was officially opened on January 27th, according to Teslarati.

In 2018, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 passed. This new safety standard required electric vehicles and hybrid-electric vehicles with a weight of 10,000 pounds (4,536 kilograms) or less to have a pedestrian warning system (PWS). A PWS is an external speaker on the vehicle that plays a sound when the vehicle is traveling at low speeds. This ensures pedestrians can hear vehicles if they’re nearby.

Sounds of the PWS While Driving

EVs and hybrid-electric vehicles can be extremely quiet, especially at low speeds. EVs can go unheard when approaching stop signs, crosswalks, and intersections, especially if there are other environmental sounds as well.

In July 2022, a petition was received by the NHTSA that urged the organization to require all EVs and hybrid-electric vehicles to have external noisemakers installed on them. Any vehicles without them, regardless of their manufacture date, would be considered to have a safety defect, according to the NHTSA’s Office of Defect Investigation.

“The petitioner asserts that hybrid and electric vehicles to which the standard does not apply should be found to contain a safety defect. In support of the petition, the petitioner includes findings contained in a bill introduced in the House of Representatives in 2009, the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, H.R. 734, 111th CONG. (2009).”

The passing of the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2011, says all vehicles should have a feature for “alerting blind and other pedestrians of the presence and operation of nearby motor vehicles to enable such pedestrians to travel safely and independently in urban, rural, and residential environments.”

Should the NHTSA agree and side with the petitioners, roughly 9.1 million cars across multiple manufacturers would be affected. These include Polestar, Tesla, Toyota, Nissan, BMW, Honda, and more.

Tesla’s Pedestrian Warning System

Tesla started installing their PWS in their vehicles in 2019. This was a mandatory change for Tesla, as both the US and EU passed laws requiring electric vehicles to make some kind of noise due to their quiet sound levels at slower speeds. The noise is played continuously until speeds of 19mph are reached, per the US regulation.

“The Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) is an audible tone played when the vehicle is moving slowly (up to 19 mph) in either Drive or Reverse,” Tesla said at the time in a memo to staff. “The sound is played via a speaker mounted in the front fascia and alerts nearby pedestrians of the car’s presence in low-speed situations.”

Tesla started manufacturing vehicles for this long before the regulations went into effect. Tesla enthusiast and YouTuber DÆrik noticed the speaker grill on the front underside of his 2018 Performance Model 3.

PWS Also Adds Boombox Feature

In classic Tesla and Elon Musk fashion, they went the extra mile and added some playful goodies for owners to get a laugh out of. They called this new feature “Boombox,” which allowed sounds to be played using the vehicle’s external speaker. For example, while in park or drive, the vehicle was able to fart, play music, and any noises the user uploaded.

Unfortunately, the NHTSA thought this was distracting and banned the feature while in drive. It's currently available in most regions around the world while the vehicle is parked.

If NHTSA requires Tesla to retroactively install PWS in their vehicles built before 2019, owners will at least have the Boombox feature to look forward to. During Tesla's 2022 holiday update, Tesla also added the ability to use Emissions Testing Mode through the Tesla app. If your vehicle is equipped with the PWS, then the vehicle will play the farting sound through its external speaker. Otherwise, it will be played through the internal speakers - which isn't quite as much fun

Norway Approves Tesla’s FSD Testing on Public Roads; Potential for Europe-Wide Deployment

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

According to filings found by Kees Roelandschap on X, Tesla has obtained a 2-year exemption from UNECE autonomy regulations to run FSD Supervised on public roads in Norway. This marks one of the first positive developments for regulations and autonomy in Europe — great news for European customers.

Previously, European transportation agencies stressed additional caution and requested more time to legislate, further delaying the widespread UNECE regulation changes for autonomous vehicles.

Norwegian FSD - Employees Only

Following the recent approval from the Norwegian Road Authority, Tesla will be permitted to use its Supervised vehicles on public roads in a testing capacity. This exemption does not yet apply to customers, so we will have to wait and see how testing progresses.

Tesla will specifically be allowed to run FSD V13 and its derivative builds (meaning AI4 vehicles only) with automated steering and speed controls on EU-registered and approved vehicles.

Tesla will also be required to have Tesla-trained drivers (employees) conduct the testing. There is no specific policy in place that enables the use of FSD for customers at this time. However, as testing is conducted and bureaucratic hurdles are overcome across various transportation departments, Tesla may be able to extend the offer to European customers. According to Tesla’s latest earnings call, the company still plans to release FSD in Europe by the end of the year.

Tesla has already begun testing in the Netherlands, showing off FSD’s capabilities in Amsterdam.

Article 39 Exemption

The UNECE can grant exemptions for innovative technologies that move faster than legislation under Article 39. However, Tesla requires the backing of a national ministry of transport to bring this to the UNECE’s attention. The next round of voting on critical issues is expected on May 12, 2025, which may not leave Tesla much time to present its findings to UNECE.

We don’t expect Tesla to receive authorization immediately. It may take several weeks or months of testing from the Netherlands or Norway teams before one of the two countries is willing to support Tesla’s exemption bid.

However, if Tesla achieves an Article 39 exemption, it could allow Tesla to roll out FSD to customers across Europe, provided there are no country-level exemptions.

Tesla Reintroduces FSD Transfers in North America

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

Following customer requests, Tesla has once again returned FSD Transfers for North America. This comes after some new details we received on FSD Supervised and Unsupervised at the recent Q1 2025 Earnings Call.

FSD Transfers

This latest round of FSD transfers doesn’t have a specific time limit - so if you’re in the market for a new vehicle and were worried about transferring FSD from a HW3 vehicle - now is the best chance.

This transfer opportunity is applicable for any new vehicle purchases, including the Model S, 3, X, Y, as well as the Cybertruck. The only vehicles it doesn’t apply to are the Foundation-Series Cybertruck or a Launch-Series Model Y, which already come with FSD included.

If you’re conducting an FSD transfer, you’ll need to reach out to your Tesla delivery coordinator through the Tesla app to confirm you’re eligible and to get the process started.

Note that once you take delivery, FSD access is removed from your older vehicle, regardless if you plan to trade in your vehicle or keep it.

Canada and Mexico

For those in Canada and Mexico, there’s some good news. This opportunity is available for customers in those countries as well, however, new vehicle orders are currently paused in Canada and Mexico for unknown reasons.

Running Offers

There are also several other offers running in North America, with the country flags indicating which countries their available in:

0% Financing on new Model 3 Orders (60mo, 0.99% for 72mo) 🇺🇸

Deep Blue Metallic and Pearl White are currently free on a new Model 3 Performance 🇺🇸

Original Model Y Owners are receiving $2,000 off the purchase of a Refreshed Model Y 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇲🇽

Free Supercharging on the Model S and Model X 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇲🇽

Free Supercharging on the Foundation-Series Cybertruck 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇲🇽

Inventory Vehicle Discounts 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇲🇽

Latest Tesla Update

Confirmed by Elon

Take a look at features that Elon Musk has said will be coming soon.

More Tesla News

Tesla Videos

Latest Tesla Update

Confirmed by Elon

Take a look at features that Elon Musk has said will be coming soon.

Subscribe

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter