The sounds of the future for electric cars

When we think of electric cars, one of the first things that come to mind is probably the lack of noise. This is one of the big selling points of electric vehicles in general – they are quiet, which comes as a great liberation in our cities filled with constant noise and chaos. We usually conceive of noise as something that overwhelms our minds and keeps us from staying focused on our tasks – something disruptive. But what if we do need some amount of noise – or at least sound – in order to thrive in our busy cities? Or to increase our focus and enhance the quality of our lives and the experiences that fill them? 

Sound as safety

These are some of the questions which many companies, artists and sound engineers have been focusing on for the last few years. This is in part due to a 2017 EU regulation, which mandated that all electric cars be fitted with what they called the acoustic vehicle alarm system (AVAS) as of July 2019. They also mandated that all new e-cars be manufactured with the system as of 2021. 

The main reason for this is of course safety – the system creates a sound that the car emits when starting up to 20km/h, simply because until the car reaches that speed, the sound of the electric engine is not loud enough for pedestrians, cyclists or even animals to hear. In 2015, a study carried out by Guide Dogs found that electric cars are 40% more likely to hit pedestrians than conventional cars. This is also a vital point when it comes to people with reduced eye-sight – another study reports that 93% of blind and partially sighted people report having issues with electric vehicles.

Designing the perfect sound

This then begs the question – what should a car engine ideally sound like? What pitch and frequencies should it have in order for it to be heard by those close by, but also so that it is not an unpleasant, disruptive sound? This opens up a whole world of creative opportunities for sound designers and car manufacturers alike, and a way for them to position themselves as leaders in the e-mobility industry. One project that has recently taken up this challenge, which we’ve recently mentioned on ellectric, is BMW’s IconicSounds. For the BMW Vision M Next back in 2010, the company partnered up with legendary film-score composer Hans Zimmer and its own Sound Designer and talented musician Renzo Vitale, to create the perfect sounds for acceleration. 

“When the driver interacts with the accelerator pedal it is not only a mechanical touchpoint but also a performative element. Accelerating becomes an experience during which the driver moves through a series of gradually morphing sound textures.” – Hans Zimmer

Another company that has been working on a similar project is Renault, which since 2021 has been developing what it calls its new Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP). Renault was actually a pioneer in this field, with their 2012 VSP for Zoe. Back then, what mattered most was to create a warning sign that would alert pedestrians without scaring them, which Renault achieved. Nowadays however, the industry requires a much more thorough creative process in order to create the perfect sound. 

This is what musician and Renault Audio Strategy Manager Laurent Worms has been tasked with: “What strikes you when you are in an electric car is the silence. We want to disguise the silence with a voice,” he said. The project, in collaboration with Ircam and other sound designers, consists of first composing and recording acoustic and synthetic sounds and then blending them together into a harmonious mix. Finally, the sound designers will add in rhythms and modulations which will, according to Renault, “provide one of the key components of the VSP, namely sonic interactivity, by adapting to the movements of the car and thus contributing to the design of a unique, living, dynamic, signature sound.”

A whole new experience

While designing the perfect sound for acceleration is a major aspect of sound design in electric cars, it is far from being the only point of focus these days. In an era where every single detail of an electric car is meticulously designed with the user experience in mind, sound is no different. “Combustion engines have dominated sound design in the automotive sector right from the start. But they are no longer relevant in an age of e-mobility. Car interiors have become spaces of calm that call for design,” said Volkswagen UX Designer Indra-Lena Kögler.

This means pushing the envelope even further with engine sound design – like adapting it to the time of day or mood of the driver – but also designing other sounds for the driving experience. For example, composer Yuri Suzuki has designed sounds that aim to revolutionise the way we think about sound design for vehicles. First, he  created two new artificial engine hums that change pitch depending on the speed of the car, and second, a wide range of in-car sounds to improve the quality of the user experience. These sounds were designed to adapt to the time of day, location, and activity of the driver in order to create a playful and more enjoyable experience. 

Another project that is testing the boundaries of this field is Porsche’s Soundtrack My Life, led by Norman Friedenberger. In a similar vein as Suzuki, Friedenberger believes that electric cars should offer adaptive sounds – sounds that adapt to each user, time, activity, speed and mood specifically. “The connection between the movement of the vehicle and the generation of music in the context of driving offers a completely new listening experience,” said Friedenberger. “It's about becoming one with the driving situation." 

In this case, this meant creating a software which is able to select from a variety of sounds and pre-composed musical elements and mixes them together in a wide variety of different complex mixes depending on speed, acceleration and centrifugal forces of the car on its own. The only thing the driver has to do is to select their musical mood, and the software does the rest. This is perhaps where the future of e-mobility sound design lies – no more radio or bluetooth, but soundtracks created specifically for you and your experience. 

Sound is a huge part of our daily lives – and whether we stop to recognise it or not, it accompanies us in every moment. As we move around our cities and countries on shorter or longer trips, sound should be an integral part of the design process of electric cars. And because electric cars are the future, so should their sounds be. It’s not merely about safety anymore, but about significantly improving the quality of life and experience of ourselves and others. The great thing about designing the future is that there is an infinite world of possibilities ahead, and we can’t wait to see what those are for the world of sound in e-mobility. 

We at ellectric also value the importance of music and how it accompanies us as we move around – this is why we create playlists, which you can find on Spotify. Listen to our latest here.

Picture 2: BMW
Picture 3: Renault
Picture 4: Porsche