Commentary: Artificial engine noise in EVs is pointless and unnecessary

Certain car manufacturers are attempting to boost the appeal of electric vehicles (EVs) by artificially replicating the sound of internal combustion engines. This practice involves adding noise emissions to vehicles that are otherwise commendably quiet and emission-free, raising questions about the necessity and purpose of such features.

Since 2019, artificial sound has been a mandatory safety feature for EVs traveling below 20 km/h. This low-speed hum is designed to alert pedestrians and cyclists to the presence of otherwise silent vehicles, a sensible regulation amidst a sea of over-regulation. However, the trend has evolved beyond this safety measure, with some EVs now emitting sounds that mimic high-performance sports cars at higher speeds.

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Virtual gear changes with perceptible shift jolts, a reinterpreted Porsche Electric Sport Sound and a virtual tachometer guarantee a multi-sensory driving experience.

Manufacturers like Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Mercedes, and Porsche are incorporating sophisticated sound systems, including external speakers, to create engine notes that are audible both inside and outside the vehicle. Some even simulate virtual gear shifts and downshifts, complete with "rev-matching" sounds, to enhance the driving experience. Hyundai's Ioniq 5 N and Porsche's Taycan are cited as examples, with marketing emphasizing the "multisensory driving experience" and the ability to "feel and hear" what performance enthusiasts might miss in EVs.

The author contends that these artificial sounds are akin to "gamification" in a car and have no place in automotive design. While EVs offer superior performance in many areas, the addition of synthetic noise to create a "hot rod" image is seen as unnecessary and even absurd. The inherent quietness of EVs is presented as a positive attribute, and artificially generating noise is deemed pointless and entirely superfluous, undermining the very advantages EVs offer.

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What performance enthusiasts have previously missed in electric vehicles, you can now both feel and hear.