This is from June 2019...
`Electric cars: New vehicles to emit noise to aid safety' BBC
`New electric vehicles will have to feature a noise-emitting device, under an EU rule coming into force on Monday. It follows concerns that low-emission cars and vans are too quiet, putting pedestrians at risk because they cannot be heard as they approach. All new types of four-wheel electric vehicle must be fitted with the device, which sounds like a traditional engine. A car's acoustic vehicle alert system (Avas) must sound when reversing or travelling below 12mph (19km/h)....From 2021 all new electric cars must have an Avas, not just new models..'..
(Although the rule doesn't cover older cars the main electric car manufacturers at that time, including Mitsubishi, Nissan and Toyota, did already have some sort of AVAS fitted to their electric vehicles.)