Electrically Propelled Road Vehicles — Safety — Vehicle Operational Safety Means
ISO 6469-2 is an international standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that specifies safety requirements for the operational safety of battery electric vehicles (BEV) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV/PHEV). It addresses functional aspects of vehicle-level safety including driver controls, indicators, acoustic warning systems, and the operating environment of the on-board rechargeable energy storage system (RESS).
Published by: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
Current edition: ISO 6469-2:2022
Part of series: ISO 6469-1 (RESS safety), ISO 6469-3 (electric shock protection)
Scope
ISO 6469-2 applies to road vehicles with a maximum speed exceeding 25 km/h that use electric motors for propulsion. It covers requirements for driver controls and indicators, acoustic vehicle alerting systems (AVAS), vehicle electrical safety in crash conditions, and operational limits of the electric drive system. It is applicable to BEV, HEV, PHEV, and fuel cell vehicles.
Key Requirements
Driver Controls and Indicators
The standard defines requirements for the power-on/off sequence, ready-to-drive indication, and state-of-charge display. Drivers must receive clear warnings when the RESS reaches a minimum state of charge and when system faults occur. Warning lamps and their meanings are standardised to ensure consistent driver interpretation across vehicle models.
Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS)
Electric and hybrid vehicles operating below approximately 20 km/h produce insufficient tyre and engine noise to alert pedestrians. ISO 6469-2 references AVAS requirements to ensure EVs emit an audible signal at low speeds, with minimum sound pressure levels and frequency content specified to protect vulnerable road users.
Post-Crash Safety
After a crash, the vehicle must automatically isolate or de-energise the high-voltage system to reduce risk of electric shock to occupants and first responders. Requirements include automatic disconnection from drive motors, prevention of high-voltage exposure at exposed conductive parts, and labelling of high-voltage components.
Disclaimer: This is not a definitive guide, just an indication and it is important that you always go back to the source for legislation.
References
- ISO 6469-2:2022, ISO
See also: FMVSS 305a