Boxbrownie said:
No idea what's happening over the pond though.
So far, the matter is somewhat self correcting (and not in a good way). Nissan and Toyota have proactively installed annoying noisemakers as standard features in order to ward off litigation.
Until insurance scam artists in the USA figure out they can collect an easy couple hundred grand by hopping on an i3 hood at a stop sign, we'll continue to enjoy the serenity of quiet driving. Unfortunately, once the settlement costs reach a tipping point, BMW will make the noisemaker a standard feature here as well. No need for ridiculous laws, when ridiculous legal settlements will do.
The device can easily be disabled by disconnecting one or two speaker wires. I will not do so, however, as such an intentional act would almost surely transfer the bulk of the liability from the manufacturer to myself. I've learned to live with the annoying noise.