In this blog post, we will examine from various perspectives whether quiet and eco-friendly electric cars are truly “better cars” that satisfy both the senses and the experience.
A car glides out of a house. It drives smoothly against the backdrop of the setting sun. This is a scene from a car commercial. You can’t hear the sound of the car. The car in this commercial, which seems to emphasize quietness at first glance, is an electric car. Electric cars, once considered the transportation of the future, are now appearing in commercials and beginning to be commercialized. The era of electric cars is coming, attracting the attention of companies and investors with their eco-friendly image.
Not only are they environmentally friendly and energy efficient, but electric cars are also gradually becoming part of our lives as they combine artificial intelligence and IT. There are countless advantages to electric cars. In the near future, electric cars will replace internal combustion engine cars due to their many advantages. With advances in battery and motor technology, some electric cars already boast performance that rivals that of internal combustion engine cars.
Unlike conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, electric vehicles contribute significantly to environmental protection as they emit almost no carbon dioxide during operation. In addition, electric vehicles are highly energy efficient, and the distance they can travel on a single charge is increasing. This is an important factor in increasing the practicality of electric vehicles for long-distance travel. Furthermore, electric vehicles are cheaper to maintain than internal combustion engine vehicles. This is because there is no need to change the engine oil or check the exhaust system.
However, in advertisements for electric vehicles, you cannot hear the sound of the car running. This is partly to emphasize the quietness of the car, but electric vehicles do not make any noise when driving at speeds suitable for city driving. The lack of noise is both an advantage and a disadvantage of electric vehicles. People who have actually seen electric vehicles will understand this. It is easy to notice when a gasoline or diesel vehicle is approaching from behind, but it is very difficult to notice an electric vehicle approaching in an area with a certain amount of ambient noise. It is impossible to honk the horn in alleys and streets, which can create frustrating and dangerous situations. For this reason, some countries require electric vehicles to be equipped with speakers in the front to emit warning sounds for safety purposes.
Due to the nature of electric car motors, they make almost no sound. Engines produce a low-pitched explosion during the combustion process of the pistons, but electric cars make a small, high-pitched friction noise. There is also no vibration from the car body. In terms of quietness, internal combustion engine cars cannot compete with electric cars. However, many people say that this quietness takes away from the fun of driving. Let’s think about the romantic image that humans have of “cars.” There are many aspects to this, but one of them is the cool exhaust sound and vibration. The appeal of the exhaust sound of a car that costs 30 million won is different from that of a car that costs over 100 million won. Most people have probably imagined owning a so-called “supercar” that accelerates smoothly while emitting a low-pitched exhaust sound. But what about electric cars? When electric cars accelerate at high speeds, they emit a high-pitched sound reminiscent of an airplane or vacuum cleaner. Some electric cars are on par with supercars in terms of performance. Nevertheless, I think the reason why electric cars have not become the “dream car” of drivers is because they do not have a low-pitched exhaust sound. Some electric car users even set the warning sound to mimic the sound of a V8 engine through speakers inside and outside the car. This makes me think that even though people are driving electric cars, they still cannot let go of their attachment to the sound of internal combustion engines.
The performance of high-end electric cars is on par with that of internal combustion engine cars. Electric cars equipped with powerful motors and batteries even surpass internal combustion engine cars in acceleration and cornering. However, when we think of high-performance cars, we think of car racing. In car racing, the performance of the car has a significant impact on the lap times, as does the skill of the driver. Therefore, race cars can be said to be a collection of the latest driving technologies, and high-performance cars are bound to appear in races. The strange thing is, have you ever seen an electric car in a race? The answer is yes, electric cars do race. In some competitions, electric car drivers have even beaten gasoline-powered cars to win the championship. However, races featuring electric cars are not very popular.
Let’s compare Formula One, where internal combustion engine cars compete, and Formula E, where electric cars compete. Unless you are very interested in car racing, you have probably never heard of Formula E. The rules of the race and the appearance of the cars are similar. The sense of speed is also almost the same. The race, with cars speeding along straight and curved tracks, and the spectators watching it, are also similar. However, the only difference is the sound of the cars and the energy they give off. In Formula One, when the cars enter a straight section after a curve, they accelerate all at once, producing a powerful, low-pitched engine sound. However, Formula E races feel somewhat quiet. The cars turning while making high-pitched motor sounds do not give off the same powerful energy as Formula One cars. Car racing fans are enthusiastic about the speed and records of the cars, but they are also enthusiastic about the “noise” of the cars roaring and resonating from close range. It’s like being at a concert. The energy of fans who are enthusiastic about soft, high-pitched ballads is different from that of fans who are enthusiastic about the low-pitched drums and guitars at a rock festival.
Perhaps the reason why Formula E is less popular than Formula One is because of the high-pitched sound of electric cars. The era of electric cars is coming. As the performance and price of electric cars become more competitive, many people will switch to electric cars.
Electric cars are environmentally friendly, perform well, and are quiet, but I don’t think people who switch to electric cars will be able to forget the energy of internal combustion engines. What will happen to car racing? Even if electric cars become completely commercialized and their performance in races becomes overwhelmingly better, I don’t think car races with internal combustion engines will lose their popularity. This is because low and mid-range sounds are more effective than high-pitched sounds in conveying energy to humans. The future development of electric vehicles will also move in this direction. Car exhaust noise and vibration will be addressed by the diverse needs of consumers who drive or will drive electric vehicles, and this will serve as a catalyst for car companies to develop and improve their products to meet consumer demands.
Ultimately, the quietness and comfort of electric vehicles will become key features of the future. However, even amid these changes, human senses and instinctive desires will not change easily. Even in a future where electric vehicles become more advanced and popular, we may still miss the unique experience offered by internal combustion engine vehicles. These mixed feelings will be an important consideration in the development of the electric vehicle industry. Even when more people enjoy the benefits of electric vehicles, the diversity and depth of car culture will remain.
