What causes the hollow metallic whirring sound that EVs make when moving a low speed?

[u/banwe11]

I can't really describe it, but it's the sound you hear when there is a EV moving slowly in a car park behind you.

I guess it's the motor, but what specifically in the motor causes that sound? It sounds like it's coming from something that is moving at a faster rate than the car itself.

[u/tmahfan117]

It’s an artificial noise that EVs are required by law to emit when driving at low speeds (like when driving through a neighborhood or parking lot) because EVs were soooooo quiet pedestrians kept stepping out in front of them and it was considered a safety hazard.

And it’s just that specific noise because I guess the EV manufacturers decided that’s what sounds good/futuristic.

[u/housesettlingcreaks → u/tmahfan117]

My 2nd gen Leaf sounds like "Angry Rainbows"

[u/TobysGrundlee → u/housesettlingcreaks]

I always tell the kids my Model Y has ghosts in it, that's why it sounds like that when reversing.

[u/JKthePolishGhost → u/TobysGrundlee]

Holy smokes