Trystan Casey
Electric vehicles are known for their quietness, with the only audible sounds coming from the tires, the air, and occasionally from the high-pitched whine of the electronics. This high-pitched noise, akin to a dentist's drill or a high-pitched brake squeal, has been a topic of discussion among electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts. While some find it unpleasant, others barely notice it. This noise is not from the motor, which is nearly silent, but from the electronics, with the frequency increasing as the vehicle gains speed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of the sound | High revolutions per minute (RPM) |
| Simple gearbox system | |
| High-frequency inverter noise | |
| Fake speaker | |
| Low tire noise | |
| Air noise |
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What You'll Learn
- Electric vehicles are extremely quiet, which poses a risk to pedestrians
- The high-pitched whine comes from the electronics
- Some vehicles have fake speakers mandated by the government to alert pedestrians
- The sound is comparable to a dentist's drill or a taxi's brake squeal
- The high-frequency inverter noise can be around 10,000 Hz
Electric vehicles are extremely quiet, which poses a risk to pedestrians
Electric vehicles (EVs) are renowned for being extremely quiet, which poses a risk to pedestrians, especially those who are blind or visually impaired. This is because pedestrians rely on the sound of oncoming cars to know when it is safe to cross the road. The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration determined that pedestrians are considerably more likely to be hit by hybrid or electric vehicles than by those with an internal-combustion engine.
Research conducted at the University of California, Riverside in 2008 found that hybrid cars are so quiet when operating in electric mode that they may pose a risk to pedestrians and cyclists, especially when the vehicles operate at very slow speeds. The study, funded by the National Federation of the Blind, discovered that hybrid vehicles must be 65% closer to the visually impaired before these individuals can accurately determine the vehicle's direction.
In response to these concerns, some government regulators have deemed warning sound devices necessary for electric vehicles. These warning sounds may be driver-triggered or automatic at low speeds, and they vary from clearly artificial beeps or chimes to those that mimic engine sounds or tires moving over gravel. Japan issued guidelines for such warning devices in January 2010, and the U.S. approved legislation in December 2010, requiring warning sounds when travelling at speeds less than 18.6 mph (30 km/h).
While the addition of warning sounds aims to improve pedestrian safety, it is important to note that some car lovers and pedestrians appreciate the silence of electric vehicles. The absence of engine noise can reduce stress levels and provide a more pleasurable driving experience, especially in busy urban areas. Additionally, the risk associated with quiet electric vehicles may be moderate and not reach alarming levels, as indicated by a study of workers as pedestrians and internal combustion engine vehicle drivers in Málaga, Spain.
To address the potential risks posed by quiet electric vehicles, automakers have explored alternative solutions, such as pedestrian alert systems. However, documentation shows that the auto industry has faced challenges in designing effective NHTSA-compliant alerts that identify electric vehicle position and approaching direction without causing driver distraction or acoustic issues.
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The high-pitched whine comes from the electronics
Electric vehicles are known for being extremely quiet, with the only sounds they make coming from the tires, the air, and occasionally from the high-pitched whine of the electronics. This high-pitched whine, which some have likened to the sound of a dentist's drill, originates from the electronics of the vehicle.
The high-pitched noise from the electronics can be attributed to the high revolutions per minute (RPM) of the electric vehicle (EV) model. As the EV spins at high RPM, often exceeding 10,000 RPM, it produces a pure tone noise. This pure tone can become a high-frequency noise as the RPM increases, although it doesn't remain consistently at high frequencies. The gearbox system and gear noise also contribute to the overall sound profile.
Additionally, the high-frequency inverter in the EV can generate noise in the range of 10,000 Hz, which may be a factor in the high-pitched whine. It's worth noting that the sound may be more noticeable when the vehicle is at low speeds or stationary, as the tire noise is less audible during these instances.
Some manufacturers have attempted to address the high-pitched noise by adding artificial sounds to their electric vehicles. For example, Porsche has incorporated loudspeakers into its electric car prototype to mimic the growl of its gasoline-powered cars. BMW is also working on sound designs for its electric vehicles, recognizing the safety implications of quiet cars, especially for pedestrians who rely on auditory cues to navigate.
While the high-pitched whine from the electronics may be a distinctive characteristic of electric vehicles, it is important to distinguish it from other high-pitched sounds that could indicate underlying issues with the car. For instance, a squealing noise in a Subaru could be due to low power steering fluid or a malfunctioning power steering pump, while worn-out brake pads can also emit a high-pitched sound.
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Some vehicles have fake speakers mandated by the government to alert pedestrians
Electric vehicles (EVs) are known for being extremely quiet, with the only sounds they make coming from the tires, the air, and occasionally from the high-pitched whine of the electronics. This silence can pose a risk to pedestrians, especially those with visual impairments, who rely on vehicle sounds to know when it is safe to cross the street. The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration determined that pedestrians are more likely to be hit by hybrid or electric vehicles than by those with internal combustion engines, especially when the vehicles are moving slowly and are almost silent.
To address this issue, some governments have mandated the use of fake speakers in electric vehicles to alert pedestrians. These speakers emit warning sounds or artificial noises designed to increase the vehicles' audibility and improve pedestrian safety. For example, the United States' Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010 led to the creation of the "Quiet Car" standard, which requires hybrid and electric vehicles to produce a minimum level of sound. This regulation, known as FMVSS 141, mandates that vehicles emit an audible sound when traveling forward or backward at less than 20 mph (30 km/h).
The implementation of these warning sounds has been gradual, with some manufacturers having introduced them over a decade ago. Nissan, for instance, debuted a pedestrian alert on its Leaf model in 2011, and in 2017, it updated the sound to a new "bespoke sonic identity" named "Canto." Similarly, General Motors equipped the Chevrolet Bolt with an AVAS system in 2012 and has since created new warning sounds for other EVs in its lineup. These warning sounds vary in type, from clearly artificial beeps and chimes to those that mimic engine sounds or tires moving over gravel.
The addition of external speakers to electric vehicles has been met with mixed reactions. While some appreciate the improved safety, others find the sounds annoying or unnecessary, especially since modern internal combustion engines can also be very quiet at low speeds. Furthermore, some EV owners have expressed frustration with limitations placed on their ability to customize the sounds their vehicles make, such as Tesla's Boombox feature, which was recalled and now only works when the vehicle is parked. Despite these concerns, the inclusion of fake speakers in electric vehicles is likely to continue as a safety measure to alert pedestrians and reduce the risk of accidents.
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The sound is comparable to a dentist's drill or a taxi's brake squeal
Electric vehicles are known for being extremely quiet, with the only audible sounds coming from the tires, the air, and occasionally from the high-pitched whine of the electronics. This high-pitched sound has been likened to a dentist's drill or a taxi's brake squeal, and it can be more noticeable at higher speeds or when the car is near hard surfaces.
The high-pitched noise in electric vehicles is often attributed to the electric motor, which can produce a whining or whirring sound. Some people suspect that the sound may be caused by electrical interference, especially when using the radio or Bluetooth. Others believe it could be related to the speakers or the power cable interfering with the RCA and speaker wires.
In some cases, the high-pitched noise in electric vehicles may be addressed by technical adjustments. For instance, unplugging certain components, such as the radio or wideband, might alleviate the issue. Additionally, keeping the power cable away from specific wires and using RCA cables with an aftermarket amp can help reduce speaker whine.
It's worth noting that some manufacturers have embraced the idea of adding artificial sounds to their electric vehicles. Porsche, for instance, has incorporated loudspeakers to mimic the growl of their gasoline-powered cars. This approach not only addresses safety concerns but also provides a unique branding opportunity for carmakers.
While the high-pitched sound in electric vehicles may be an inconvenience or a point of concern for some, it's important to recognize that it doesn't detract from the overall benefits and appeal of these environmentally friendly cars. As technology advances, we can expect improvements in reducing or enhancing these sounds to strike a balance between safety, user experience, and noise pollution.
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The high-frequency inverter noise can be around 10,000 Hz
Electric vehicles are known to be extremely quiet, with the only sounds they make coming from the tires, the air, and occasionally from the high-pitched whine of the electronics. This high-pitched sound has been described as a whirring or a whine, similar to the sound of an old fridge or a high-pitched brake squeal. In some cases, it may be a faint dentist drill sound.
The high-frequency inverter noise in electric vehicles can be around 10,000 Hz. This is considered a high-frequency range for inverters, which typically operate from around 10 kHz up to 1 MHz. High-frequency inverters are favored in applications such as motor drives, uninterruptible power supplies, induction heating, avionics, EV charging, and renewable energy integration due to their compact, lightweight, and dynamic characteristics.
In contrast, low-frequency inverters operate at frequencies under 5 kHz. While they offer advantages such as simplicity, ruggedness, low EMI, and low acoustic noise, they result in a larger and heavier inverter package. The efficiency of high-frequency inverters comes at a cost, as they typically surge at a lower rate or for shorter periods compared to low-frequency inverters.
The high-frequency noise in electric vehicles, although noticeable, is not a cause for concern. It is important to distinguish between the natural sounds of the vehicle's electronics and artificial sounds that may be added for safety reasons or branding opportunities. For example, some manufacturers have added artificial sounds to their electric vehicles to address the safety risk posed by quiet vehicles, especially for pedestrians who rely on auditory cues to navigate streets.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric vehicles are known to be extremely quiet. However, the high-pitched sound that some of them make is caused by the electronics. The high revolutions per minute (RPM) of the EV model result in a pure tone noise that can be high-frequency.
Electric vehicles can be so quiet that they pose a risk on the road. The high-pitched sound is added to make them audible to pedestrians, especially those who are blind or distracted.
No, it is not present in all electric vehicles. Some vehicles, like the Tesla, have only a slight whine that is only noticeable because the car is so quiet.
