As EV and PHEV adoption grows in India, more OEMs and fleet operators are having the same conversation for the first time. Which audible alert supplier do we actually go with? It is not a small decision. The unit you pick has to meet AIS-173 requirements, integrate into your existing electrical architecture, and hold up under real-world conditions, not just a lab test.

This is a practical guide to what to actually evaluate before signing off on a supplier.

Why this decision matters more than it looks

An EV or PHEV audible alert is a small component relative to the rest of the vehicle, which sometimes leads teams to treat the sourcing decision as low stakes. It is not. Getting it wrong means a compliance gap right before a regulatory deadline, an integration that does not fit your existing CAN architecture, or a support relationship that falls apart the moment something needs adjusting after installation.

For the regulatory background and the exact compliance dates, see our guide to the AIS-173 deadline.

What to actually evaluate in a supplier

Compliance documentation, not just a claim. Ask for the actual standard the product is engineered against, and what testing has been completed. A verbal assurance of compliance is not the same as a documented test report from an accredited facility.

Testing history. Has the unit been through EMI/EMC testing at a NABL-accredited or MoRTH-authorized facility? This is a meaningful signal of whether the product has been validated under real electrical conditions, not just designed to spec on paper.

Integration requirements. Does the unit support your existing CAN protocol and voltage range, or will it require redesigning part of your electrical architecture to accommodate it?

Customization. Can the sound profile be adjusted within regulatory limits to fit your brand, or is it a fixed, generic tone shared across every customer?

Localization and support. Where is the product actually manufactured, and what does post-installation support look like if an adjustment is needed?

Imported versus domestic suppliers

Neither option is automatically the right answer for every OEM. A global Tier-1 supplier may already be integrated into an existing supply chain relationship. But for teams evaluating this decision fresh, ahead of a fixed regulatory deadline, the cost and support tradeoffs are worth putting on the table explicitly rather than defaulting to whichever name is most familiar.

Frequently asked questions

Do PHEVs need an audible alert system, or only fully electric vehicles? AIS-173 applies to electric and hybrid vehicles that operate silently at low speed, which includes PHEVs when running in electric mode.

How much lead time does integration actually take? This depends on the supplier and how closely the unit matches your existing electrical architecture. Units supporting standard CAN protocols like ISO 11898 and SAE J1939 typically integrate faster than proprietary systems.

Is a lower cost supplier automatically a compliance risk? Not inherently. Cost and compliance are separate questions. The relevant check is documented testing and compliance evidence, regardless of price point.

What should we ask for before signing a supply agreement? Test reports from an accredited facility, confirmation of the exact standard the product is engineered against, and a clear integration timeline against your production schedule.

Making the decision

The AIS-173 deadline is fixed, which means the supplier decision has a real time limit attached to it. Infiquity EV Alert Sound, under the IQ-AVAS product line, is engineered for AIS-173 and UN R138 compliance, manufactured in India, and built to integrate across passenger cars, three-wheelers, buses, and commercial EVs.

If you are still in the evaluation stage, the team can walk through integration requirements against your specific platform directly.