Car noise: are electric cars quieter than petrol cars?

In a combustion-powered vehicle, the main car noise a driver hears (except if there is an issue with the vehicle) is the engine. This car noise is the result of thermodynamics: as heat energy is transformed into mechanical energy to propel the car, the engine’s cylinders produce pulsations (sounds) that are emitted via the exhaust valve.

The electric car noise that you will hear, however, is the tyre noise: the sound of the tyres rolling over the road surface (which is often described as a low roaring sound in the car, a bit like a background noise).

Do electric car tyres make more noise than combustion-powered ones? No. If you hear more the tyre rolling over the road surface, it’s because an electric motor makes almost no noise. You become more sensitive to any additional noise.

This tyre noise depends on the condition of the road that generates vibrations in the cabin. Even on the highway you don’t always find the same kind of road surface. And it’s here that tyre, and automobile manufacturers have a real challenge on their hands.

Tyre noise also depends on the speed you drive. The faster you drive, the more you hear a whistling sound from the car. This is something Michelin works very hard on in order for drivers to enjoy the electric experience.

For Michelin, the solution to minimizing this tyre noise is a complex combination of the tread pattern and the MICHELIN Acoustic technology, which reduces perceived interior noise by up to 20%. ⁽¹⁾