4 ms·

I'm not sure about the noise levels but it's the law to add some noise to electric vehicles cause otherwise they're nearly silent and people can't hear them cre

by codyb 4y ago

I'm not sure about the noise levels but it's the law to add some noise to electric vehicles cause otherwise they're nearly silent and people can't hear them creating a very hazardous environment for pedestrians, bikers, and especially the differently abled (e.g. blind). https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/08/08/what-should-a-nine-thousand-pound-electric-vehicle-sound-like https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/08/08/what-should-a-... This is a pretty interesting article about how some of the audial engineers are approaching the issue in one of the recent New Yorkers.

bombcar 4y ago
While true, I feel this speaks more to our need to reengineer the whole "car/passenger" dynamic than the need to 126db "electric exhaust".
- buran77 4y ago
  I'm amazed that something like a passenger car on the street is even allowed to produce 126db regardless of how it does it. I mean I don't really care if it's coming from an ICE, a speaker system, or an air horn, people should have a really good reason to generate that much sound pollution and I can't think of any short of needing it to save a life. P.S. In the EU at least the legally mandated AVAS is actually a carefully studied sound with a mix of specific frequencies aimed at being clearly distinguishable regardless of age (can be heard by old and young eardrums), has specific attenuation parameters (doesn't travel too far but also doesn't dissipate too close), can be relatively easily pinpointed as a source, works up to a relatively low speed before rolling noises become prevalent, and doesn't go above 75dB(A) (just enough to be audible in city landscapes). It's pretty much the Star Trek Enterprise engine futuristic sound which you'd be hard pressed to find disturbing in any way.
  - bombcar 4y ago
    Owners can get away with a lot - but it's a bit surprising that a manufacturer can, but most noise restrictions are local, not in the federal automobile requirements.
gorkish 4y ago
The fact that the EV noisemaker law was passed before EVs even accounted for half a percent of vehicles on the road should tell you how well considered and necessary it is. Typical solution in search of a problem. Now you get this bullshit on the wrong end for the effort.
- codyb 4y ago
  Hmm, they did a bunch of studies before moving forward with creating a framework for the sounds required. The article's fairly decent. Should check it out :-)
  - gorkish 4y ago
    Do these studies explain why ICE cars and hybrids and "Neighborhood Electric Vehicles" that are similarly quiet do not have to have noisemakers? Or would you prefer we ask the GM lobbyist to explain it to us?
    - codyb 4y ago
      Lol, I dunno man, you clearly have some sort of viewpoint you're staunchly confident is the way the world works. I just read the article, electronic vehicles are very quiet, this has been my experience biking around NYC as well. So they're adding sounds. It's a no brainer. But sure, whatever cynical take you have on the entire situation is probably fine too. I'd be fine with them adding sounds to the electric bikes that zoom past me in the bike lane without _ever_ giving me notice that they're coming up on my side. I find it frustrating every time.

by codyb 4y ago

bombcar 4y ago

While true, I feel this speaks more to our need to reengineer the whole "car/passenger" dynamic than the need to 126db "electric exhaust".

buran77 4y ago
I'm amazed that something like a passenger car on the street is even allowed to produce 126db regardless of how it does it. I mean I don't really care if it's coming from an ICE, a speaker system, or an air horn, people should have a really good reason to generate that much sound pollution and I can't think of any short of needing it to save a life. P.S. In the EU at least the legally mandated AVAS is actually a carefully studied sound with a mix of specific frequencies aimed at being clearly distinguishable regardless of age (can be heard by old and young eardrums), has specific attenuation parameters (doesn't travel too far but also doesn't dissipate too close), can be relatively easily pinpointed as a source, works up to a relatively low speed before rolling noises become prevalent, and doesn't go above 75dB(A) (just enough to be audible in city landscapes). It's pretty much the Star Trek Enterprise engine futuristic sound which you'd be hard pressed to find disturbing in any way.
- bombcar 4y ago
  Owners can get away with a lot - but it's a bit surprising that a manufacturer can, but most noise restrictions are local, not in the federal automobile requirements.

gorkish 4y ago

The fact that the EV noisemaker law was passed before EVs even accounted for half a percent of vehicles on the road should tell you how well considered and necessary it is. Typical solution in search of a problem. Now you get this bullshit on the wrong end for the effort.

codyb 4y ago
Hmm, they did a bunch of studies before moving forward with creating a framework for the sounds required. The article's fairly decent. Should check it out :-)
- gorkish 4y ago
  Do these studies explain why ICE cars and hybrids and "Neighborhood Electric Vehicles" that are similarly quiet do not have to have noisemakers? Or would you prefer we ask the GM lobbyist to explain it to us?
  - codyb 4y ago
    Lol, I dunno man, you clearly have some sort of viewpoint you're staunchly confident is the way the world works. I just read the article, electronic vehicles are very quiet, this has been my experience biking around NYC as well. So they're adding sounds. It's a no brainer. But sure, whatever cynical take you have on the entire situation is probably fine too. I'd be fine with them adding sounds to the electric bikes that zoom past me in the bike lane without _ever_ giving me notice that they're coming up on my side. I find it frustrating every time.