Artificial Engine Sounds for Electric Cars a Necessity, Study Says

The first report on sound design and requirements for sound systems in electric and hybrid cars is here, qualifying sounds that are specific to that of combustion engines as imperative for electric cars. The report, titled “White paper on external sounds for electric cars”, has been developed by ECTunes in cooperation with research institute DELTA SenseLab.

As various countries are now adopting measures which in time will legally require external sound systems on electric cars, the study shows what kinds of sounds are relevant for them.

Specifically, electric and hybrid cars require engine start sound, forward sound and reverse sound. According to the report, the engine starting sound must be short – 1-2 seconds, the forward sound should be a non-melodious engine-like sound, while the reverse sound should be an additional sound on top of the driving sound.

As for the forward sound, this should change character tone as the car’s acceleration and speed change. Also, the sound must disappear as soon as the speed reaches 25 km/h, where wind and tire noise are enough to alert pedestrians and cyclists.

”We now know that all electric cars at some point will need external sound, mainly to increase traffic safety,” said Jesper Boie Rasmussen, CEO at ECTunes. ”Our challenge is to customize the sound to match the situation without being annoying or creating unnecessary noise – a challenge the report deals with by giving concrete recommendations. We have participated in the studies to gain knowledge about how to optimize our systems and be able to guide our automotive clients in terms of future sound development”.

By the end of 2011, ECTunes will be introducing a number of external sound systems for the automobile industry and industrial cars. Additionally ECTunes will also present a system customized for industrial cars like electrical forklifts.