Neighbors often complain about cars being too loud late at night, but what about being too quiet? The National Highway Traffic Administration announced a plan to make electric cars emit a sound at lower speeds to warn pedestrians of its presence.

At higher speeds, these cars make enough noise to be heard, but at speeds less than 20 miles per hour, they are virtually silent. “With more and more quiet vehicles on the road, we have to consider their effect on pedestrians,” stated NHTSA Administrator David Strickland.

When these changes will come into effect, and what electric cars will even sound like is unclear, but according to Smartplanet writer, Channtal Fleischfresser, Nissan has chosen a “whoosh” sound for its Leaf EV model, and Ford has decided to ask their customers for their opinion. They have posted videos on YouTube for four potential sounds to be used and would like for viewers to leave a comment on the video they prefer. 

Josh Norris, a senior, preferred Sound A because it sounded like Battlestar Galactica.