I have a brand new 2022 Prius Prime (150 mi). When the car is coasting, there is a sound that begins at ~21mph (sort of a high pitch whir). Can anyone tell me if this is normal and, if so, what causes it?
Is it the VPNS -- Vehicle Proximity Notification System? That is the low speed noisemaker to alert pedestrians to the moving "silent" vehicle. On my older model, it is a 'spaceship' noise reminiscent of the Jetsons, but sounds changed on later models. Here is one of several threads on the topic: Vehicle Proximity Notification System (VPNS) | PriusChat
These Primes make a lot of different and funny at times sounds. Some of them have been positively identified and some of them haven't yet. I'm wouldn't tell you to not to worry about it, although I'll suggest keep listening to see if and when the sound changes or goes away completely as some seem to.
Normal and federally mandated. Write to your congressman and senator. In previous years you could adjust the volume. Now it's non-adjustable and ridiculously loud.
The OP says the sound comes on at about 21 mph. The pedestrian warning system is on from 1 to 15 mph. No need to get the politicians involved in this case.
We have a 2005 Prius and a 2021 Prime in our 2-car garage. The weird spaceship sounds of the Prime are more audible in the rest of the house than the ICE sound of the 2005 Prius, at least as amplified by the garage space. Blind pedestrians are less at risk in a parking lot, with the VPNS, and that is a good thing, but I do wish the volume were a tad lower.
15 vs 21 mph is pretty easy to misread while decelerating. But here's how to tell if it's the noisemaker or something else. Does it do the same thing but even louder in reverse?
Ah yes lets try and disadvantage those with handicaps more by not allowing them to know a silent vehicle is driving around.
Many better traditional ICE vehicles are now as silent too, inaudible to anyone with any significant degree of age related hearing loss, but remain exempt from this noisemaker rule.
I have a 2021 and when accelerating the VPNS doesn't stop until you reach 26 mph. When decelerating the VPNS resumes at 21 mph. To get it to stop while driving in residential neighborhoods you have to accelerate past the speed limit and then lower back down.
Do you have actual data to support that hybrid or electric vehicles are more dangerous to handicapped people than other vehicles? The study that was used to support the current regulations was ridiculously flawed and even then didn't support the conclusion. The logic behind the assumption is flawed. Specifically, it requires the assumption that ICE vehicles are louder than hybrid or electric vehicles.
