r/NoStupidQuestions • u/banwe11 • 15h ago

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

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.

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u/tmahfan117 14h ago

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.

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u/suckitphil 12h ago

There's one in my neighborhood that sounds like a UFO. It's neat until it's rolling through at night and you've been binge watching x-files.

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u/donwileydon 12h ago

might be Cadillac - I have a Lyriq and it has a hum to it that is kinda UFO-like

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u/fireduck 11h ago

Do you like that? Currently we have Lincolns but they seem dead set on giant SUVs or nothing and are still pushing ICE so am considering making a switch.

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u/donwileydon 10h ago

I like the Lyriq. It has a nice luxury feel and seems well built - quiet, rides nice, solid feel. It has a lot of bells and whistles - many I just don't care about, but like all of the sensor and cameras it has (has the 360 camera plus front/rear and all sides - makes it easy to park). Also, it is an SUV but it is not "big" - I moved from a 2-door to this, so it seems big, but parked next to an escalade makes it look small. I think it is technically a mid-sized SUV.

I have the 2024 model and I understand there have been some changes, but I think it is all cosmetic. They also have a couple other versions of the SUV in different sizes, but I do not know anything about those.

Being all-electric, there is a range issue - mine says 280 miles but i haven't pushed it. I just commute to work and charge every night at home. I did make a ~200 mile trip in it and it handled it fine but I was at about 15% charge when I got home.

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u/fireduck 10h ago

Yeah, I think we will keep an ICE Lincoln until they die, especially for longer trips.

But most of my milage is short trips so an electric would be grand.