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Quietest Cars: Do Electric Cars Make

Any Sound?
EVs are some of the quietest cars, but is that a good thing?
By David M. Kuchta Updated July 26, 2022 Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan

In This Article
01. Vehicle Noise Pollution 02. Quiet EVs Can Confuse Drivers

03. Quiet EVs and Pedestrians 04. Artificial Noise

05. Frequently Asked Questions

Electric vehicles (EVs) are famously quiet. Unlike traditional

combustion engines, electric motors don't require mechanical valves,
gears, or fans.

While idling, an EV motor hums quietly. When moving, passengers can

hear the tires and wind.

This can be a boon in urban environments, where road traffic is the

main contributor to noise pollution. But it can also be a drawback, as
quieter cars can pose dangers to children or the visually impaired.

Vehicle Noise Pollution

Vehicles are sources of both air and noise pollution. Today, 55% of the
world's population lives in cities. This density increases the impact of
vehicular pollution on residents.

Additionally, noise pollution is one of the greatest threats to wildlife.

Traffic noise suppresses frogs' immune systems. It decreases the

ability of birds to communicate with each other and to detect predator
threats. And it reduces terrestrial wildlife's ability to forage, care for
their young, and reproduce.

During coronavirus lockdowns in 2020, noise levels in urban

environments dropped 35% to 68%. This contributed to a temporary
wildlife rebound. With EVs, those reductions could be permanent.

Reduced Vehicle Noise With EVs

City planners have made various efforts to mitigate urban noise
pollution through better design. But quieter vehicles present a cleaner,
easier solution.

At 10 mph, internal combustion engine vehicles emit roughly 55

decibels. This is already more than the World Health Organization's
recommendation that noise levels at night remain below 40 decibels.

At speeds up to 20 mph, EVs (and hybrids driven in electric mode) are

far quieter than vehicles with internal combustion engines. An electric
motor is nearly silent, meaning “rolling noise” from tires and wind are
the main source of EV sound.

When moving at higher speeds, the difference between a gas-powered

car and EV noise production shrinks. Tire and wind noise represent a
greater percentage of total traffic noise at speed, and these are
consistent regardless of the motor.

In the pursuit of energy efficiency to increase EV driving range, many

EV manufacturers emphasize aerodynamics to reduce the drag
coefficient. This reduces wind noise too, so that even at higher speeds,
EVs can be quieter than gas-powered cars.

Quiet EVs Can Confuse Drivers

The absence of engine noise (and vibration) has led to complaints
about road and wind noise among EV drivers. But auto engineers are
actively refining EV designs to limit internal noises.

In an EV, drivers can hear subtler noises that are drowned out by gas-
powered engines. The magnets in an electric motor can also emit high-
frequency noises, which is noticeable at low speeds.

One study predicts that acoustic and thermal insulation materials for
EVs will grow by 21% annually over the next decade. The challenge,
however, is the added weight.

In an internal combustion engine vehicle, sound-deadening materials

are added without great impact on gas mileage. Adding extra weight to
an EV, however, reduces the battery range. Finding the right balance
between weight and noise-canceling is key for the future of EVs.

Quiet EVs and Pedestrians

 Motortion / Getty Images

Quiet EVs have prompted concerns about pedestrian safety. Since they
are so quiet, it's harder for children, animals, or the visually impaired
to recognize when an EV is nearby.

Since 2019, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

(NHTSA) has required new EVs to automatically make noise when they
are traveling slower than 18.6 miles per hour “to ensure that blind,
visually impaired, and other pedestrians are able to detect and
recognize nearby hybrid and electric vehicles.” Beyond 18.6 mph, road
noise emitted by EVs is nearly the same as that of gasoline cars.

In Europe and Australia, electric vehicles must be equipped with an

Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS) that emits noise at speeds lower
than 20 kilometers (12 miles) per hour. The AVAS noise in some EVs is
external only, so those inside the car may not even hear it.

The threat to pedestrian safety doesn't just affect the blind or visually
impaired, however, since inattentive sighted walkers texting in
crosswalks may fail to look up from their phones without noticeable
vehicle noise. While data is limited, studies suggest a link between
pedestrians being distracted by mobile phone use while crossing
streets and a rise in pedestrian-vehicle collisions.

Artificial Noise
Creating artificial noises to conform to AVAS requirements leaves car
manufacturers with the opportunity to create brand sound signatures.
BMW, for example, is working with a Hollywood composer to create a
specific sound for its EVs. Volvo, by contrast, has opted to merely
increase the expected road noise of a vehicle rather than create its own
custom sound. While the sounds need to be within volume standards
set by the governing regulations, what could emerge is a medley of
different sounds from different vehicle makes on the road. Whether
that's a good thing or a bad thing remains to be seen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do electric cars make noise when charging?

Electric vehicles might make a subtle noise while charging—
this is most likely the cooling fan, which helps keep the
charging battery and associated components at an optimal
temperature.

Why are electric cars so silent?

EVs are naturally quieter than gasoline-powered cars because
they lack internal combustion engines. On traditional cars,
the engine makes a combustion noise as cylinder pressure
changes. The only noise made by EVs comes from their tires
and the wind resistance while driving.

Will highways be quieter with electric cars?

The rising popularity of electric vehicles has made some
anticipate quieter highways and communities. But as EVs
further adapt to society—accommodating all people,
including those who use sound as a survival tool—they could
become (artificially) louder.

Are electric cars dangerous to the visually impaired?

Although engineless cars are sometimes perceived as a good
thing for noise pollution, they've been widely criticized for
being dangerous to the visually impaired. Many have dubbed
quiet EVs "silent killers." The European Union has even ruled
that all EVs must make artificial engine sounds for
pedestrian safety.

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