Are electric cars deadly for cats?

The explanation lies in the conjuncture of two factors according to the specialist: the absence of sound emitted by electric cars when they start on the one hand, the tendency of cats to hide under vehicles stopped other go. The veterinarian explains that in the latter case, the cat has both "prey and predator status; under the cars, he sees without being seen and feels safe. Felines like to put under cars to get warm and in the summer to be in the shade, "she says.

The absence of noise causes accidents?

With a thermal car, the sound of the engine is enough to make them leave, "except that if you buy a hybrid or electric car, they do not have this reflex, since they do not hear the car start," he adds. -she. The veterinarian does not provide precise figures for the number of accidents caused by hybrid and electric cars, but recalls that in France, one cat out of five (going outside) dies under the wheels of a car.

The solution, according to the specialist, would obviously be material. It recommends the use of a sounding device specific to electric and hybrid vehicles. Indeed, since July 1, 2019, zero emission cars approved in Europe, must have an AVAS (Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System), ie a sound emitted up to 19 km / h which allows to alert pedestrians, cyclists and animals of their passage. The only problem is that this sound is not emitted at a standstill. While some manufacturers, like Tesla, think about the possibility of personalizing this sound, Laetitia Barlerin would prefer more than it is noticeable from the start of the car.

Source: RMC