The EU is investigating whether artificial noises should be added to'near silent'electric cars to reduce risks to cyclists and pedestrians, with a view to imposing legal requirements by 2012.

According to an article in the Times, manufacturers are already testing noises that could be added to electric and hybrid cars, with white noise, computer noise and the Star Wars theme tune some sounds already considered.

Warwick University is working with car manufacturers in the West Midlands, assessing various sounds by projecting them from a test vehicle and assessing the response of pedestrians.

Professor Paul Jennings told the paper: "We will have a week with music and weeks with natural sounds, engine noise and also with science-fiction sounds.

"We need to find noises which alert people to the approaching vehicle without causing the annoyance people already feel when they hear the bleeping sounds of reversing trucks."

The industry believes that artificial sounds would only be necessary below 20mph because faster vehicles create enough tyre noise to be heard.