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You Might Hear Some Strange Noises Coming From New EVs

Sep. 17, 2019 4:15 PM ET by Jared Rosenholtz / 7 Comments Once the US government approves it. If you've ever driven an electric car - or even a plug-in hybrid car - you may have heard an odd noise when driving at low speeds. The sound differs slightly depending on the vehicle but in most cases, it is a sort-of white noise emitted from a speaker to alert pedestrians. In most cases, the noise can't be heard from inside the vehicle unless the window is rolled down, so EV and hybrid car drivers are likely unaware it even exists. In the United States, EVs are required by law to make a noise below 18.6 miles per hour but there is no general consensus on what this noise needs to sound like. In fact, Reuters says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) may allow automakers to choose from multiple different sounds on their vehicles, opening up the floodgates for some fun possibilities. Jaguar Land Rover Jaguar Land Rover Automakers submitted a petition to the NHTSA asking for the agency "to remove the current limitation of one sound per vehicle model." The NHTSA is now seeking public comment "on whether there should be a limit to the number of compliant sounds that a manufacturer can install in a vehicle and what that limit should be." As of now, all "quiet" vehicles are required to have at least one sound by September 2020 and 50% were required to have one by September 1, 2019. Honda Honda When the vehicle reaches higher speeds, tire and wind noise become loud enough, so there is no longer a need for an additional sound to be played. In our experience testing EVs and hybrids, the noise reminds us of a Playstation 2 during its boot-up sequence but if the NHSTA changes the rules, automakers could install an option to let drivers chose their sound in a vehicle menu. For example, wouldn't it be neat if your EV could sound like a rumbling V8 at low speeds? The NHTSA says hybrids and EVs are 19% more likely to be involved in a pedestrian crash and the addition of these sounds should help prevent around 2,400 injuries annually by 2020. Chevrolet Chevrolet Tesla

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Jaguar I-Pace Jared Rosenholtz Editor-at-Large After graduating with an MBA, Jared pursued his love of cars by becoming an automotive journalist. An internship with CarBuzz grew into his current position as Editor At Large. Jared now spends most of his time evaluating new vehicles and chasing the latest news stories in the automotive industry. When he’s not attending Cars & Coffee events on the weekend, Jared loves to watch NFL football and cruise around with the top down in his German convertible. Contact Jared @Carsnbites @jar_rosenholtz LoginSign Up Home News Features Car Reviews Car Advice 2021 CarBuzz Awards New Cars Used Cars Future Cars Compare Cars Sell My Car Car Dealerships Buy Here Pay Here Used Car Reviews Popular Tags Cars # Video # TOP # Spy Shots # Reveal # Rumor # Auto Show # Supercar # Tuning # Car Culture # Industry News # Motorsport Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Make Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Car Type SUVs Crossovers Sedans Coupes Trucks Sports Cars Wagons Vans Hatchbacks Convertibles Small Cars Luxury Cars Electric Cars Hybrid Cars Future Cars By Price Up to $15K $15K - $25K $25K - $35K $35K - $45K $45K - $55K $55K - $75K $75K - $100K $100K - $200K $200K - $300K Above $300K Back To Top