this post was submitted on 21 Feb 2026
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ich_iel but American
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It's like ich_iel but it's in American so we can understand it.
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The main reason electric cars have speakers is for pedestrians. Unfortunately, many drivers are inattentive or drive too fast in areas like neighborhoods, parking lots, and urban areas, and the noise helps warn pedestrians to their presence. Hopefully, we can reduce car reliance with walkable areas and public transit, but even so, electric cars will be driving near pedestrians at some point. The fake noise is silly, but it is necessary. A lot of cars go for an electric whine instead of simulated engine noise, and I find that more appealing.
In the US at least, it seems like they have settled on a sort of sci-fi hovercraft whirring sound that modulates in pitch a bit so that it captures your attention, but is pretty inaudible from more than a few carlengths away. Honestly pretty similar the noise level of an idling modern ICE.
It seems to fit the bill of being recognizable without being obtrusive.
I would guess that makes (especially high end) are going to quickly find their own signature sound, which sounds a bit obnoxious, but inevitable.
It should be at a frequency that doesn't penetrate very far through walls and windows, to protect the hearing health of people indoors.