5 ms·

EVs pose a similar question. I have a Leaf which is silent. No growl at the intersection. This has changed my driving and how I see other cars.

trgn 10y ago
I started to loath the sound of heavy acceleration, especially when walking or cycling, even when I'm driving myself. The only thing I can think is "what a dipsh*t". It's the noise, the menace of that lurch forward. It's not appropriate for the public realm. I love cars, the analog character of an internal combustion engine. But I can't wait until most cars are electric. It's so much more civilized. ICE cars will be left for recreation, race tracks, impressing a date. Fun curiosities that a toddler would point at when it roars by. But in large numbers, I dislike them with a passion.
- corey_moncure 10y ago
  I recently picked up a used Leaf as well, and I'm absolutely loving it. One thing I've noticed in addition to what you mentioned is how conspicuous the smell of cars with ICEs has become, when I get near them or in them. There will always be reluctant holdouts who cling to the American machismo of a loud, stinky, rumbling ICE, see so-called "coal rollers" who modify their diesel trucks to terrorize other motorists and cyclists by emitting huge clouds of soot on demand. It sure doesn't sound or look impressive; however, there is something deeply convincing about the instant and effortless authority of the electric motor's acceleration. And the Leaf is relatively anemic compared to other EVs available today!
holmak 10y ago
Silent, deadly electric cars... Joking aside, they've snuck up on me more than once when I'm about to cross the street and they're trying to right-on-red. I'm surprised they don't have some artificial noise to improve awareness.
- kwhitefoot 10y ago
  Please don't suggest adding noise to electric cars. There is a danger that a politician or regulator will take the idea seriously.
  - mikestew 10y ago
    Way too late for that.
  - Digit-Al 10y ago
    There is already much going in in this realm: https://www.google.co.uk/#q=adding+noise+to+electric+cars https://www.google.co.uk/#q=adding+noise+to+electric+cars
- CalChris 10y ago
  That's already the law. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_vehicle_warning_sounds https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_vehicle_warning_sou... Blind people really need this sound and so the Leaf has a speaker, the VSP. It cuts out at about 25mph.

trgn 10y ago

I started to loath the sound of heavy acceleration, especially when walking or cycling, even when I'm driving myself. The only thing I can think is "what a dipsh*t". It's the noise, the menace of that lurch forward. It's not appropriate for the public realm. I love cars, the analog character of an internal combustion engine. But I can't wait until most cars are electric. It's so much more civilized. ICE cars will be left for recreation, race tracks, impressing a date. Fun curiosities that a toddler would point at when it roars by. But in large numbers, I dislike them with a passion.

corey_moncure 10y ago
I recently picked up a used Leaf as well, and I'm absolutely loving it. One thing I've noticed in addition to what you mentioned is how conspicuous the smell of cars with ICEs has become, when I get near them or in them. There will always be reluctant holdouts who cling to the American machismo of a loud, stinky, rumbling ICE, see so-called "coal rollers" who modify their diesel trucks to terrorize other motorists and cyclists by emitting huge clouds of soot on demand. It sure doesn't sound or look impressive; however, there is something deeply convincing about the instant and effortless authority of the electric motor's acceleration. And the Leaf is relatively anemic compared to other EVs available today!

holmak 10y ago

Silent, deadly electric cars... Joking aside, they've snuck up on me more than once when I'm about to cross the street and they're trying to right-on-red. I'm surprised they don't have some artificial noise to improve awareness.

kwhitefoot 10y ago
Please don't suggest adding noise to electric cars. There is a danger that a politician or regulator will take the idea seriously.
- mikestew 10y ago
  Way too late for that.
- Digit-Al 10y ago
  There is already much going in in this realm: https://www.google.co.uk/#q=adding+noise+to+electric+cars https://www.google.co.uk/#q=adding+noise+to+electric+cars
CalChris 10y ago
That's already the law. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_vehicle_warning_sounds https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_vehicle_warning_sou... Blind people really need this sound and so the Leaf has a speaker, the VSP. It cuts out at about 25mph.