Silent but deadly? Let's talk about electric car noise

Electric cars are pretty quiet - so let’s discuss electric car safety and legislation around compulsory electric car noise

Silent but deadly?

(And no, that’s not an invitation to make a fart joke).

You may be wondering how we can talk about electric car noise, as, well, it doesn't really make any.

But, here we are.

With more people making the leap and going green, we’re seeing more EV’s than ever on our roads. In fact, in 2024 there were 338,314 electric cars purchased. Which is an increase of 17.9% from 2023, which saw 286,846 new EVs.

And with the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars looming, inevitably, the number of EVs on our roads in years to come will continue to grow.

By 2030, the national grid estimates there will be as many as 11 million electric vehicles on the road, likely increasing to 36 million by 2040.

But even with this meteoric rise in popularity, people are still hung up on the same debate: does the lack of engine noise make EVs more dangerous than their combustion engine counterparts?

So, let’s dive into this and unpack it together.

Why are electric cars quieter?

Quite simply, they don’t have an engine.

Electric cars have a motor system that’s powered by an electric battery.

EVs don’t have the mechanical features of an internal combustion engine as they have fewer moving parts, which is why you’ll only hear a very quiet hum when an EV moves.

Will road noise reduce with electric cars?

There are many attractive realities made possible by a near silent car. 

This is not only true for the driver and their passengers, but also to all those nearby due to the general reduction in noise pollution. As EVs become more popular, there will be less petrol and diesel cars on the road, which will reduce noise pollution even further. 

However, the downside is made very clear by the statistic that an electric or hybrid car is 40% more likely to hit a pedestrian in the UK than a petrol or diesel car.

People have stopped looking both ways, relying on the fact that they can hear petrol and diesel cars coming.

But we still need to stop, look and listen – just like you’re taught in primary school.

Legislation on electric car noise safety

The rules around electric car noise have changed in response to the alarming statistic above.

From 1st July 2019, all newly designed electric and hybrid vehicles must be equipped with an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) to produce a sound when travelling below 12mph.

This artificial hum is designed to sound a bit like a conventional engine, making sure pedestrians and cyclists don’t get caught off guard by a near-silent EV sneaking up behind them.

Manufacturers have some creative freedom with the sound, but it has to fall between 56 and 76 decibels, and change based on whether the car is speeding up, slowing down, or reversing.

As of 1st July 2021, every brand-new EV must have AVAS fitted as standard.

Manufacturers can get a little creative with the noise (some brands have gone for futuristic hums, others mimic traditional engines), but the law prevents anything too wild—so, no EVs zooming around playing theme tunes.

It’s a small but important step in making our roads safer, especially for those who rely on sound cues, like visually impaired pedestrians. Sure, EVs are noisier than before, but they’re still whisper-quiet compared to traditional cars.

So, while we adjust to this new era of driving, let’s keep our eyes (and ears) peeled.

More safety features

Electric cars are subject to the same rigorous safety testing procedures as conventionally fuelled vehicles and are actually some of the safest cars around today. 

They are also assessed by the safety rating providers Euro NCAP.

Some electric cars with five-star safety ratings include the Tesla Model Y, BYD ATTO 3, and Mercedes EQC. 

People are often sceptical about EVs, but they are constantly evolving and adapting. Some developments from manufacturers to make them even safer include:

• Isolating the car’s chassis from the electrical system to prevent electric shocks.
• Lowering the car’s centre of gravity to reduce the likelihood of it tipping over and rolling.
• Preventing chemical spillage from batteries in the event of a collision.
• Ensuring batteries are secure even on impact.