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I wish EVs were actually silent. In reality they are just as loud as a normal ICE vehicle above 20mph/30kph. The reason for this are the tires which have gotte

by foepys 4y ago

I wish EVs were actually silent. In reality they are just as loud as a normal ICE vehicle above 20mph/30kph. The reason for this are the tires which have gotten so wide over the past decades that they are now the sole noise you hear from a normal car.

jackmott 4y ago
davemp 4y ago
You should hear the folks that gun it a couple streets over with their modded mufflers at 2am in my neighborhood.
dekhn 4y ago
Uh, no. I have a hybrid and the difference in noise between a gas engine and electric is highly noticeable at all speeds, in cabin or outside.
garyfirestorm 4y ago
There’s a regulatory requirement that specifies how much minimum noise should be emitted in each frequency band. All BEVs need this pedestrian alert system. It takes into account that partially deaf people may not be able to hear certain frequencies say tire noise band.
- jillesvangurp 4y ago
  There are a few models of ice cars that basically are very quiet when they drive slowly. Nobody ever complains about how quiet they are. It's not a problem. And it was never a problem in the past. It's only a problem when EV's are concerned. Or rather it's a problem people imagine is real because other people who also did not do their homework say it is so based on what they've heard.
  - garyfirestorm 4y ago
    I actually work for an automotive company and specifically deal with vehicle acoustics. Yes EVs at low speeds are imperceptible and a danger to even a person with baseline hearing let alone a partially deaf or blind person. These regulations are there for a reason. It’s not imagination. We measure quantifiable data using reference microphones. Though I agree that some gas cars are extremely quiet and difficult to perceive, that doesn’t mean we should shackle ourselves and prevent meaningful change for next generation vehicles.
kube-system 4y ago
Tires have gotten quieter over recent history, not louder, as a result of better tread design. You are noticing tire noise now because drivetrains have become quieter even more so. BEVs are not running tires that are any different sizes than similar positioned gas cars. The model 3 is running similar tire sizes to the German sports sedans of similar positioning. The leaf is running similar sizes to other hatchbacks. Etc. In general, cars are running larger tires in every dimension, but cars are also larger in every dimension.

by foepys 4y ago

jackmott 4y ago

davemp 4y ago

You should hear the folks that gun it a couple streets over with their modded mufflers at 2am in my neighborhood.

dekhn 4y ago

Uh, no. I have a hybrid and the difference in noise between a gas engine and electric is highly noticeable at all speeds, in cabin or outside.

garyfirestorm 4y ago

There’s a regulatory requirement that specifies how much minimum noise should be emitted in each frequency band. All BEVs need this pedestrian alert system. It takes into account that partially deaf people may not be able to hear certain frequencies say tire noise band.

jillesvangurp 4y ago
There are a few models of ice cars that basically are very quiet when they drive slowly. Nobody ever complains about how quiet they are. It's not a problem. And it was never a problem in the past. It's only a problem when EV's are concerned. Or rather it's a problem people imagine is real because other people who also did not do their homework say it is so based on what they've heard.
- garyfirestorm 4y ago
  I actually work for an automotive company and specifically deal with vehicle acoustics. Yes EVs at low speeds are imperceptible and a danger to even a person with baseline hearing let alone a partially deaf or blind person. These regulations are there for a reason. It’s not imagination. We measure quantifiable data using reference microphones. Though I agree that some gas cars are extremely quiet and difficult to perceive, that doesn’t mean we should shackle ourselves and prevent meaningful change for next generation vehicles.

kube-system 4y ago

Tires have gotten quieter over recent history, not louder, as a result of better tread design. You are noticing tire noise now because drivetrains have become quieter even more so. BEVs are not running tires that are any different sizes than similar positioned gas cars. The model 3 is running similar tire sizes to the German sports sedans of similar positioning. The leaf is running similar sizes to other hatchbacks. Etc. In general, cars are running larger tires in every dimension, but cars are also larger in every dimension.