Lucas says he thought it was all over for him when he heard a weird sound while sitting in his car. In a TikTok video, Lucas, known as Luco (@thelocoluco) to his followers, says he didn't know what was going on as a car pulled in to park next to him. The unfamiliar sound left him momentarily perplexed.
Imagine sitting in your car, waiting for your girlfriend to finish shopping, and you hear a weird sound that some describe as a spaceship or something from a Star Trek soundtrack. What is it? Is it coming from your radio?
Your windows are rolled up, but you can hear a strange, almost eerie music outside your car. Then you realize it's the car pulling in next to you. When the vehicle is parked, the sound stops.
"What is that?" I can hear Lucas saying?
He says, "When you think your time has come, but it's just an electric car parking next to you."
It's so unnerving that he wonders if it's the end of the world. "It sounds like something out of Star Trek; I can't un-hear this now."
What are those weird sounds coming from the car parked next to Lucas?
I heard it the other day while walking through a hospital parking lot. I heard this weird sound as a car drove slowly through the lot, looking for a parking spot. It startled me. Then I noticed that it was a Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV making the same weird sound that Lucas heard.
Why Do Some New EVs Make This Sound?
A report from Kelley Blue Book emphasizes the safety aspect, stating, "All newer EVs and plug-in hybrids make a hum, whir, beep, or chime sound to help warn playing children, joggers, and animals of an approaching car. Only some vehicles have artificial engine sounds to make them sound like a performance car."
This safety feature is a crucial part of the EV experience.
However, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 makes the strangest sound of any new EV.
The "weird" sounds from a Hyundai EV are often intentionally designed artificial sounds. These sounds are added to EVs to alert pedestrians, cyclists, and individuals with visual impairments that a vehicle is approaching.
The Ioniq 6 features a unique "electric" sound system, and as described in a YouTube video review, it can produce a "crazy electric sound" that some compare to a spaceship.
Hyundai's Active Sound Design
The Ioniq 6 also features an "Active Sound Design" system that allows drivers to personalize the soundtrack of their vehicle. This system plays virtual powertrain sounds through the internal speakers when the accelerator is pressed, offering different sound profiles and volume levels.
As USA Today explains, synthetic sounds in EVs are mandated by regulations to ensure pedestrians and cyclists can hear approaching vehicles at low speeds. This is because EVs are often quieter than traditional vehicles, making it difficult to hear them approach.
The report says, "Without a noisy internal combustion engine, electric cars must emit artificial sounds at certain speeds so pedestrians are aware of approaching vehicles. But precisely what that alert system sounds like is up to the discretion of automakers."
To ensure pedestrian awareness, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mandates that EVs produce audible sounds below certain speeds (around 19 mph).
From fighter-jet-inspired roars to spaceship-sounding whirs, and even classical-music-inspired tunes, the variety of sounds in EVs can be heard ion the road and in parking lots.
As a newer field, "EV sound design is wide open," General Motors Regulatory Sound Engineer Glenn Pietila told USA Today. "There are a lot of different directions people are going."
Which EV Models Are Known for Unique or Futuristic Sounds?
- Tesla: Tesla's pedestrian warning sounds are often described as a "whirring" or "humming" sound; some find its reversing sound spaceship-like.
- Hyundai Ioniq 6: The Ioniq 6 has been mentioned in online discussions for its futuristic sounds, possibly including the pedestrian alert or other features.
- Kia EV6: Some drivers describe the Kia EV6's sound as resembling a "space shuttle," according to a Reddit thread.
- BMW EVs: BMW is investing in sound design for its EVs, aiming for futuristic and emotionally engaging sounds, according to Hypebeast and BMW.
- Mercedes-Benz EVs: Mercedes-Benz has collaborated with artists like will.i.am to create unique soundscapes for their EVs, and some models feature sound design that reacts to driving inputs.
Factors Affecting the Sound:
- Speed: Pedestrian warning sounds are typically active at low speeds (below roughly 20 mph).
- Direction: The sound might change depending on whether the car is moving forward or reversing.
- Model and Trim: Different EV models and trims within the same model might have distinct sounds.
What are Others Saying About the Strange EV Sounds?
Noise Perception: The perception of "weird" or unusual noises can vary from person to person. Some may find the artificial sounds in Hyundai EVs fun and engaging, while others may find them distracting or unnatural.
Reddit users chime in. ScuffedBalata says, "I hate them all. They are too loud, much louder than my 2011 V6. That sucks. I'd be glad to have them with no sound at all."
xlb250 - "The pedestrian alerting sounds eliminate most of the EV quietness advantage for me. It's not just loud, but also the tone is distracting. My V8 Mustang is stealthier leaving the house/neighborhood."
Alarming_Front4378 - "I love the way the Ioniq 6 sounds!"
Alexandratta - "The Kia EV6 sounds like a space shuttle coming in to dock, and I love it."
Conclusion
Electric car sounds are here to stay, so getting used to them may take some time. Every automaker can determine the sounds their cars make. While this feature aims to enhance safety, it has also sparked public fascination and criticism due to its unique auditory experience. It was so strange that Lucas thought the world was ending.
It's Your Turn
What do you think of EV sounds? Which EV, in your opinion, has the most unique sound? Click on the red Add New Comment link below and let us know. Join the conversation about the future of EV sound design.
Check out my Tesla Cybertruck story: My Tesla Cybertruck Just Drove Itself Back To the Dealer Because of the Heavy Debt I Owe, Come Back Cybertruck
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Luco
Comments
Sitting in my EV I hear lots…
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Sitting in my EV I hear lots of weird noises from non-EV's, they seem to make them constantly, some noise from the front under the bonnet and even more out of some tube at the rear of the car. Not to mention the weird smells many seem to be making, and I am sure some must be on fire as there seems to be a lot of smoke coming out the back as well 🤷 is it the end of the world?!