The comparison and analysis of standard production electric vehicle drive-train noise

The sound signatures of five standard production electric vehicles (EVs) and one hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) are benchmarked. The vehicle sound signatures are assessed through constant speed and wide open throttle (WOT) drives. The individual sound signatures were analysed with respect to time and frequency domain and a comparison is drawn between the vehicles. Sound pressure levels, third octave analysis and spectrograms are used to analyse and compare the individual vehicle sound signatures. It was found that electric vehicles contain substantial sound energy in the bandwidth above 1 kHz and lack sound cues in the 200-500 Hz band. Current literature points to diminished customer satisfaction as a result.