EVs

[RomanChariot]

You'd probably have more luck in a different state than California. Lots of charging stations there. Wyoming, on the other hand...

Sheep don't run on electricity.

[cawimmer430]

A lot of sim racing games have great fake engine noise.

True. But I think it's different when you're driving an actual real-world [EV] vehicle.

It's all a question of getting used to and adapting, but I don't think there's no shame in admitting that as a car enthusiast you're gonna miss the sound that an internal combustion engine makes.

[cawimmer430]

BMW and some others have been using various trickery to pipe in engine noise for some time, from goofy resonators attached to the firewall to others. Engine noise really isn't as "real" as we like to think on modern cars. Its very carefully contrived.

My understanding is that the actual engine sound is "enhanced" by these fake engine sounds which are pumped into the interior. The driver still hears the actual engine, but with some "enhancements" played over it.

But this is still somewhat convincing. On an EV, which are quiet, it would come across as fake and tacky.

[12,000 RPM]

True. But I think it's different when you're driving an actual real-world [EV] vehicle.

It's all a question of getting used to and adapting, but I don't think there's no shame in admitting that as a car enthusiast you're gonna miss the sound that an internal combustion engine makes.

Eh I dunno. I mean I do love engine sounds. But for a commuter, I'd prefer silence if I could have it. And at track days here they make you keep your window open, so you can't hear shit anyway. I think you are just looking for reasons to resist anything green-adjacent.

[shp4man]

I put a few miles on a Focus Electric yesterday. They do make some noises, as the regenerative braking system gear components whine/whirr a bit in use. No transmission shifts, a gauge that shows miles left that changes with A/C usage.
Decent acceleration, but at a high battery drain rate. Easing into stops returns the most energy.
It's still just a glorified golf cart. 

[NomisR]

Yeah, most modern cars are very quiet without piped in noise or a sport exhaust option. I don't think EVs are really that much different. Luxury cars used to take pride in being dead silent inside, anyway.

My Bolt makes decent electric whirring noises if the radio isn't loud.

You can also make it completely silent by pulling fuse 34.

[CaminoRacer]

You can also make it completely silent by pulling fuse 34.

LOL is it fake? I'm okay with that though if it makes it audible to pedestrians in a parking lot.

[CaminoRacer]

Eh I dunno. I mean I do love engine sounds. But for a commuter, I'd prefer silence if I could have it. And at track days here they make you keep your window open, so you can't hear shit anyway. I think you are just looking for reasons to resist anything green-adjacent.

Yeah for a commuter I'd prefer a quiet car. I'm just listening to podcasts or music anyway. Even in the El Camino which has a better engine note than most people's cars. The majority of cars have terrible engine notes so it's not a loss at all.

[12,000 RPM]

The majority of cars have terrible engine notes so it's not a loss at all.

Exactly

[afty]

Personally I think it's neat how quiet an EV is even when driving hard.  You can drive aggressively without drawing attention to yourself.  Taking off hard from a stop makes you feel like you're in a spaceship, with just a slight whirring sound.

[Laconian]

Personally I think it's neat how quiet an EV is even when driving hard.  You can drive aggressively without drawing attention to yourself.  Taking off hard from a stop makes you feel like you're in a spaceship, with just a slight whirring sound.

Many ICE cars today are already "symposed" because turbo engines sound dreary. I want a pluggable symposer on an EV, dammit. I bet a warp core thrum which increases in frequency would be so sweet in a Tesla. OK, it would be cool for 5 minutes.

[Xer0]

Exactly

I for one am looking forward to never having to hear a tiny Honda screaming through a fart can as it desperately accelerates to 60mph in 10 seconds.

[Laconian]

I for one am looking forward to never having to hear a tiny Honda screaming through a fart can as it desperately accelerates to 60mph in 10 seconds.

It's Subaru WRXes at 1AM, and semis and Harleys at 8AM.

[Xer0]

It's Subaru WRXes at 1AM, and semis and Harleys at 8AM.

Oh god, I forgot about the Harleys.  I will not miss hearing those obnoxious things.

[NomisR]

Electric Harleys...

[afty]

Electric Harleys...

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/livewire.html

[giant_mtb]

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/livewire.html

I'd much rather have this. For less than half the price.

https://www.altamotors.co/redshift-sm#redshift-sm1

[cawimmer430]

Eh I dunno. I mean I do love engine sounds. But for a commuter, I'd prefer silence if I could have it. And at track days here they make you keep your window open, so you can't hear shit anyway. I think you are just looking for reasons to resist anything green-adjacent.

EVs are quiet, but so are modern ICE cars. For example my new A250 is pretty much silent while cruising. I'm not bothered by the engine sound when I give it gas. I just need to hear my engine as it works. But I know I can get used to driving an EV and dealing with road noise and a lack of engine sound; it will just take some time.

[CaminoRacer]

There's no more road noise than a similar gas car

[Morris Minor]

I'm happy to have a quiet car, much less fatiguing. Eliminating engine noise is good, but wind & tire noise seem to be the bulk of the problem.


Quiet cabins come at a premium.https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/the-quietest-cars
EV drive trains should bring down the price point of peace & tranquility.

[Laconian]

I'd much rather have this. For less than half the price.

https://www.altamotors.co/redshift-sm#redshift-sm1

I saw an electric sportbike a couple weeks ago! It sounded like a banshee with its one gear. reeeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[giant_mtb]

I'm happy to have a quiet car, much less fatiguing. Eliminating engine noise is good, but wind & tire noise seem to be the bulk of the problem.


Quiet cabins come at a premium.https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/the-quietest-cars
EV drive trains should bring down the price point of peace & tranquility.

Yep, once you're up to speed, wind and tire noise are far larger factors than your engine chuggin along at 1800rpm on the highway.

[Laconian]

Yep, once you're up to speed, wind and tire noise are far larger factors than your engine chuggin along at 1800rpm on the highway.

I live on a hill, so I hear engines working hard all day long.

[giant_mtb]

I live on a hill, so I hear engines working hard all day long.

That sucks.

[CaminoRacer]

I love roasting people from a stop without making any noise

[AutobahnSHO]

I love roasting people from a stop without making any noise

[Morris Minor]

Renault Zoe:
https://youtu.be/XaA_qwP9dKM
I don't see why this wouldn't be a decent commuter car in the US... provided the A/C is bulletproof. I like the idea of giving used battery packs a second life.

[12,000 RPM]

US commutes involve highways. This little dodgeball won't stand a chance

[Xer0]

Yep, once you're up to speed, wind and tire noise are far larger factors than your engine chuggin along at 1800rpm on the highway.

Unless you drive a manual Honda which is geared for 4K RPM at like 70mph

Secretly, I think Honda just got so tired of tire noise complaints so they geared their engines to drown it out.

[2o6]

Renault Zoe:
https://youtu.be/XaA_qwP9dKM
I don't see why this wouldn't be a decent commuter car in the US... provided the A/C is bulletproof. I like the idea of giving used battery packs a second life.

Because the updated Nissan Leaf is basically the same car, but longer.



It, and the Renault ZOE have those shitty air-cooled batteries that have real issues with fast charging and range in hot climates.