Traffic noise is made up of engine noise, tire noise, road noise, and whistling noise. But do electric cars make less noise than gas cars? Discover the answers in this article.
Gas car noises: what are the sounds made by a combustion-powered vehicle?
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.
Electric car noises: what to expect?
Are electric cars quieter than gas cars? An electric vehicle, by its very nature, doesn’t have an engine. Instead, it has a motor system powered by a battery. Unlike thermodynamics, electromagnetics doesn’t result in noise emissions. As a result, the motor is almost totally silent.
Perhaps even too silent! Electric vehicles are much quieter than gas cars. At low speeds, they are so much quieter.
Tire noise when driving an electric car
The electric car noise that you will hear, however, is the tire noise: the sound of the tires 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 tires make more noise than combustion-powered ones? No,
If you hear more the tire rolling over the road surface, it’s because an electric motor makes almost no noise. You become more sensitive to any additional noise.
This tire 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 tire, and automobile manufacturers have a real challenge on their hands.
Whistling sound from car
Tire 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 tire noise is a complex combination of the tread pattern and the brand’s Acoustic® technology, which reduces perceived interior noise by up to 20%. (1)
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EVs eliminate the engine and exhaust noise that dominates the cabin of a combustion vehicle. Without that masking, tire noise becomes the primary sound source at most speeds. Road surface texture, tire tread pattern resonance, and the air cavity inside the tire all contribute sounds that were previously covered by powertrain noise. This is why EV owners often notice tire noise more acutely than drivers of equivalent combustion vehicles.
Two main types: tread pattern noise (the sound of air moving through the grooves as the tire rotates) and cavity resonance (a low-frequency hum created by air vibrating inside the tire, similar to a drum). On rough or coarse road surfaces, road surface texture adds additional high-frequency noise. Each type requires a different solution in tire design — tread pattern optimization for groove noise, acoustic foam for cavity resonance.
A ring of polyurethane foam bonded to the inside of the tire absorbs cavity resonance — the low-frequency hum generated by air vibrating inside the tire as it rotates. This foam significantly reduces the transmission of cavity noise to the wheel, axle, and ultimately the cabin. Acoustic foam-lined tires are identified by various brand-specific names (Michelin's Acoustic Technology, Continental's ContiSilent, etc.) and are particularly valued on EVs where the absence of engine noise makes cavity resonance more noticeable.
Significantly. Coarse aggregate asphalt generates more tire noise than smooth asphalt or concrete. Open-graded asphalt (porous road surface) is generally quieter. The driver has no control over road surface, but tire choice interacts with road surface — a tire with a tread pattern designed to reduce noise on typical road surfaces will perform differently on coarser roads. Some EV owners notice the effect most on motorway sections with older, rougher surfaces.
Generally yes — wider tires create more air column inside the cavity (more cavity resonance potential) and expose more tread area to road surface noise. Aerodynamic noise from the wider profile also increases at highway speeds. Tire manufacturers and EV makers balance width against efficiency and noise; some EV models are specified with narrower tires than a comparable performance car would use precisely to manage noise and rolling resistance.
Vehicle manufacturers address cabin noise through body insulation, glass acoustic properties, and door sealing. But these are fixed at the point of manufacture. For the owner, tire choice has the most accessible impact on noise after purchase. Correct tire inflation also plays a role — underinflated tires generate more noise and vibration; correct pressure keeps the tire performing as designed.
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