Interior noise and electric vehicles-an experimental survey

A small group investigated tyre noise inside electric and IC vehicles on inner city roads and some major A roads. The methodology focussed on comparing interior noise levels over road surfaces ranging from cobblestones to good and pitted tarmac. Vehicles were also compared qualitatively. In common with other workers we found that the noise levels varied strongly with the road type. Electric vehicles were about 50% heavier than the IC vehicles, with tyre pressures about 50% higher. Except for the most expensive battery electric vehicles, we found instances of much higher interior road noise. Our conclusion is that mainstream budget EVs risk becoming unpopular in cities due to poor levels of refinement