The European Parliament approved a proposal to protect public health through the tightening of noise limits for cars. MEPs also recommended introducing labels to inform consumers about new cars' noise levels and adding sound to hybrid and electric vehicles to alert pedestrians.

MEPs voted in favour of a draft legislation in order to establish noise limits for cars aimed at protecting public health. The draft legislation proposes to phase in new limits six and eight years after the new rules come into force. The first phase would apply to new vehicle models, the second to all new vehicles entering into service. The European Commission presented the draft proposal on this subject on December 2011.

In particular, the limit for standard cars would be reduced to 68 db from 74 db currently. More powerful vehicles would be allowed a margin of 2 to 6 extra decibels. However, MEPs maintained the limit for the most powerful heavy lorries (over 12 tonnes) at 81 db. The draft legislation also proposes that new cars to be labelled on their noise performance to inform consumers. Similar labelling schemes already exist for fuel efficiency, tyre noise and CO2 emissions.

MEPs also agreed that a number of standards that must first be developed for such "Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS)". They are concerned that quiet electric and hybrid car engines can pose a threat to pedestrians and want compulsory requirements in future to add sound to these vehicles.