Driving Sounds

[oldgeeksguide]

Agree. Unfortunately I believe I’ve read the sounds are safety so short of a forescan approach I think sounds have to be on as a safety regulation. And that sucks

I think the requirements are only at low speeds and are focused on what you hear outside the car. Lots of ev manufacturers also add sounds intended for the driver (and passengers) that “sound cool” and give some feedback about speed or acceleration. I’m pretty sure those sounds are optional, and on some cars are an option provided for a price.

 

[J Alynn]

I think the requirements are only at low speeds and are focused on what you hear outside the car. Lots of ev manufacturers also add sounds intended for the driver (and passengers) that “sound cool” and give some feedback about speed or acceleration. I’m pretty sure those sounds are optional, and on some cars are an option provided for a price.

Gotcha ya. Interior wise I’ll hope for silence. Then whatever sound system is selected will sound that much better

 

[jamski]

Cant wait to go off-roading with no engine noise and just listening to the tires rolling over the rocks. Seems like it would be a pretty cool experience.

 

[Sisko99]

Please don't add fake noises. I get the regulatory requirements, but beyond that....please no. The sound of the electric motors is enough.....anything else just comes across as silly. Dodge became a laughing stock for this very reason.

For the record....I don't like it when ICE cars pump fake sound either.

Interestingly enough.....a lot of ICE cars are getting more and more quiet. Some are nearly silent. I wonder when NHTSA is going to mandate gas cars make some noise too.

 

[Cranky Canuck]

I’d prefer no artificial sound at all. The new GM EVs have a terrible and ridiculously loud fake noise they make. If there is a sound I’d like the option of turning it off or at least put it on its own circuit so I can pull the fuse. Fake EV noises are the worst and are not at all necessary.

EVs motors have their own cool unique sound. You don’t need a fake sound.

 

[Sisko99]

I’d prefer no artificial sound at all. The new GM EVs have a terrible and ridiculously loud fake noise they make. If there is a sound I’d like the option of turning it off or at least put it on its own circuit so I can pull the fuse. Fake EV noises are the worst and are not at all necessary.

EVs motors have their own cool unique sound. You don’t need a fake sound.

I was already seriously considering the external speaker disconnect on my last EV. Fortunately for me it never started making artificial noises other than when in reverse so I never needed to. I figure if you're going to own an EV.....own the fact that it's quiet and don't try to make it sound like something to try to appeal to a certain demographic. I love a great sounding sports car like most car guys.....but sound for the sake of sound is nothing more than the Sonic Illusion of Speed. For ICE cars.....that usually means the car has to sound fast because the reality is the exact opposite!

 

[eddiet1212]

I was already seriously considering the external speaker disconnect on my last EV. Fortunately for me it never started making artificial noises other than when in reverse so I never needed to. I figure if you're going to own an EV.....own the fact that it's quiet and don't try to make it sound like something to try to appeal to a certain demographic. I love a great sounding sports car like most car guys.....but sound for the sake of sound is nothing more than the Sonic Illusion of Speed. For ICE cars.....that usually means the car has to sound fast because the reality is the exact opposite!

As stated, the loudest is not always the fastest.....

No sound required for me

 

[Dana]

Since an EV is almost silent the driving experience can be enhanced with artificial driving sounds. Such sounds are designed to make driving feel fun and make the driver feel connected to what the machine is doing.

I recently watched an Audio Engineering Society event from earlier this year in which Sound Design Engineers explain how to create EV driving sounds. These sounds can be change dynamically with vehicle metrics such as motor torque, acceleration, regeneration etc. I’m not sure if the video can be watched by non-members of AES but it seems to be playing with me being signed in so it might work for everyone. The first 30-40 minutes are rather boring, but the second presenter has some interesting demos. If Scout’s design team have not watched it yet I urge them to do so because the approach and techniques are interesting.

https://aes.digitellinc.com/p/s/dissecting-advanced-driving-sounds-for-evs-webinar-3415

Interestingly, EV driving sounds can benefit from an audio illusion known as the Shepard Effect (or Shepard Tone). This gives the impression that notes are continually rising even though they are not and this effect can continue indefinitely. If a driving sound gets too high in tone it becomes very annoying. With a gas engine this isn’t a problem because the tone drops low with every gear change before climbing back with acceleration before dropping again. But EV’s have no gears so and accelerating tone can continue increasing for a longer period. The Shepherd effect makes it possible to have the illusion of a seemingly increasing tone while keeping much of the sound at a relatively low frequency that is enjoyable to hear.

What does everyone think they might want from driving sounds?

If you were able to watch the linked video, what did you think of some of the sounds and effects in the latter part of the presentation?

Is this how an EV should sound or is it too sci-fi?

None. I love the silence and connecting with nature. I bought really nice floor mats and quieter tires to reduce that noise.