Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by Kirby64 992 days ago
The car noise problem is partially solved (or improved) by EVs, actually. The tires used on EVs tend to be efficient (low rolling resistance), which translates to less noisy tires. Additionally, their body shape tends to aim towards very aerodynamic so they have less turbulence noise. If they didn't do this, their efficiency would be much worse so it essentially becomes a necessity.

It's pretty evident when you drive next to a large vehicle with knobby tires meant for off-roading (Jeeps seem to commonly have these). The tire noise is easily MUCH louder, even ignoring any engine noise.

The other thing, broadly, is road construction can lead to a huge difference in noise from highways. I'm sure you've experienced huge differences depending on the road surface.
3 comments
ehnto 992 days ago
I think it is marginally reduced, definitely not solved. It also depends on the tires a consumer puts on their EV once it leaves the factory, and anything about 50kmph is still very noisy.

I think that is good in one aspect though, road noise is the only warning you get that an EV is approaching, which in a PED/Cylcing friendly city is important.

link
Kirby64 992 days ago
EVs already need to make noise at 19mph or under in the US.

Personally, I'd prefer strongly if road noise were eliminated entirely. It'd lead to a better society broadly by reducing noise pollution. Ped/cyclist safety is better handled by other policies than "just make more noise" IMO.

link
ehnto 992 days ago
Well I agree with both points, especially the latter. But I would certainly prefer we solve for the latter first.
link
shard 987 days ago
I was in Shenzhen recently, walking around the shopping districts, and I was constantly feeling a sense of unusualness. Eventually I figured out that it was because that despite all these cars and scooters on the road, I felt like I was waking in a forest, as most of the sounds I hear are from people, and the cars and scooters are pretty much silent, since so many of them are electric.
link
jjav 991 days ago
> The tires used on EVs tend to be efficient (low rolling resistance), which translates to less noisy tires.

EVs are just cars, any tire that you can put on an EV you can also put on an ICE car, so that is not a differentiator.

EVs tend to be heavier though, and weight is a primary factor in how fast a tire wears.

link