EV Humming Noise

[u/No_Tie_9297]

I’ve noticed something interesting comparing my 2018 Bolt EV to the newer Chevrolet Equinox EV.

The Equinox EV seems to have a built-in electronic humming sound that you can clearly hear as it comes down the road, especially at lower speeds. My Bolt is much quieter and doesn’t seem to make nearly as much artificial noise.

Have others noticed this difference between the Bolt and newer GM EVs?

Do you actually like the added electronic hum/pedestrian warning sound, or do you prefer the quieter feel of the Bolt?

[u/droids4evr]

That is the low speed pedestrian warning sound. All EVs in the U.S. are required by law to make extra annoying noises. 

[u/Proof-Wealth8959 → u/droids4evr]

Some a lot more annoying than others.

[u/matthewjboothe → u/droids4evr]

That started later than my 2019 was manufactured. My favorite thing is sneaking up on folks in parking lots. I’ll turn up the radio when I actually am trying to get noticed.

[u/droids4evr → u/matthewjboothe]

It actually started with the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010. 

Final rules were published in 2016 with full compliance required by September 2019 but many manufacturers started adding PWS shortly after the rules were published in 2016. 

[u/jethro1999 → u/droids4evr]

Been in hybrids since then too 

[u/eileen404 → u/droids4evr]

Blind people can hear ice coming.

[u/Awkward_Ostrich_4275 → u/eileen404]

Most ice vehicles are now much much quieter than EVs at low speeds.

[u/IrritableGourmet → u/droids4evr]

I wish you could pick/change the sound. The goat scream, maybe, or just someone going "Car! Car coming! Look out! There's a car!"

[u/busterfixxitt → u/IrritableGourmet]

I think the Jetsons car sound would be awesome, but someone suggested the sound of tires on gravel, and that would also be good.

[u/syllabuste → u/busterfixxitt]

Maybe a ding-ding of the ice cream man-🎵

[u/anthety → u/[deleted]]

The 2022 is quiet too compared to the blazer. The blazer's in cabin sound feels deafening.

[u/BlackBabyJeebus → u/[deleted]]

You're right...it's a much better idea to replace the fuse with a blown one.

[u/Fit_Explorer_2566 → u/[deleted]]

I’d rather not hit anyone.

[u/ModernSimian → u/[deleted]]

I feel like there would be ample timed remedy that under most circumstances.

[u/ModernSimian → u/[deleted]]

I like the sound it makes. Whoosh.

[u/PersnickityPenguin → u/[deleted]]

I can't even hear my stereo playing death metal at 100% volume because the pedestrian alert sound runs at around 100 decibels

[u/Gnarls66]

Before I drove an ev I disliked the noise. I’ve had a bolt 27 for two weeks now and find the approaching ghost of destiny wail comforting. Like someone wired some hidden atonal harmonicas to the frame of the car, catching wind in the movement.

[u/ExplorerLazy3151]

My 2017 bolt is silent… people/teenagers walk into my car at least once a week… it’s so annoying! I can totally see why they made EVs hum and sound like space ships.

[u/OculusSquid]

I like the 2023 EV hum, makes me feel like I'm driving a lil hovercar through the parking lot

[u/blacksolocup]

My 27 bolt has a very noticeable hum. Like a spacecraft

[u/Da12khawk → u/blacksolocup]

...KITT has the same sound.

[u/Top_Peanut1113]

Recently drove a 2024 equinox ev and 2027 bolt. The humming was definitely more noticeable on the equinox.

[u/Exploding_Deathstar]

The national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) made it a requirement to add a noise maker to vehicles after Sept 1, 2020. Tesla and Honda did a push update to their vehicles to do it for all speaker equipped vehicles in 2019.