• dubyakay@lemmy.ca
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      5 days ago

      They are loud. Not when they drive slowly, but when they pick up speed. The wheels make just as much noise as an ICE.

    • SwingingTheLamp@midwest.social
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      5 days ago

      I’m not going to claim that EVs are loud.

      I’m going to state it as a fact: EVs are loud. About as loud as ICE cars. I live on a busy street, so I know that this is beyond dispute. The tire noise and wind resistance dominate the noise produced above about 30 kph. ICE vehicles these days have efficient engines and good soundproofing. Many are virtually silent if they go past my house slowly.

      Unexpectedly, the hybrid-electric city buses that go past are among the quietest vehicles. They must use tires designed for a quiet, comfortable ride, because all I hear is a slight whoosh, even when they pass by in the quiet, wee hours of the morning.

      (To be fair, EVs with quiet tires and moving <30kph are virtually silent, too.)