Federally mandated noise makers for electric cars

[Townsend]

Imagine hearing these sounds from 100's of cars heading down Brookside while you enjoy the day on a patio or whatever you're doing.

The reverse sound is especially lovely.

http://gm-volt.com/2010/06/11/nissan-leaf-electric-car-sounds-revealed/

Is this the noise the cars on "Sleeper" made?

[custosnox]

A switch inside the vehicle can turn off sounds temporarily. The system automatically resets to "On" at the next ignition cycle.

Good to know you can still sneak up on people if you so desire.

[Gaspar]

You should be able to configure your own noise.  Like your ringtone.  I think I'd go for The Jetsons noise.

[jne]

I think I would have to opt for some woo woooooo (great excuse to resurrect a classic)

[nathanm]

I expected to be disturbed by whatever noise was being required, but it's not so bad at all. One hopes it automatically cuts off the noisemaking once the car's speed gets over 20mph or so, by which time the tires ought to be making plenty of noise on their own.

I could almost find the Leaf completely useful for what I need out of a car 99% of the time, if only it had a slightly better range. 150 miles would do it, 200 would be preferable.

[Ed W]

I think it would be nice if it sounded like my 1971 Volkswagen Super Beetle, just without leaving oil all over the driveway.

[Conan71]

They should have put wire rims on them and done the old card and clothes pin trick.

[custosnox]

I expected to be disturbed by whatever noise was being required, but it's not so bad at all. One hopes it automatically cuts off the noisemaking once the car's speed gets over 20mph or so, by which time the tires ought to be making plenty of noise on their own.

I could almost find the Leaf completely useful for what I need out of a car 99% of the time, if only it had a slightly better range. 150 miles would do it, 200 would be preferable.

It cuts off at 30mph and comes back on at 25mph.

The sound reminds me of K.I.T.T.

[DolfanBob]

Spend all these years to make cars more quiet. And now mandate these cars to be noisy. Im at a loss on this one.

Oh also. Dats only in da mownin. You should be makin brekfass or sumptin.
I love that video, makes me laugh everytime.

[Red Arrow]

Ring tone people will have a new market. 

I think a P-51 Mustang sounds nice.  Or maybe a B-17 with those wonderful sounding round engines.

[patric]

I thought it sounded familiar,
Listen to the car sounds in this clip:

Life imitates art.

[patric]

Life imitates art.

Then there's always the option to make existing vehicles quieter, rather than add to the cacophony of traffic:
http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=12753429

[Jennifer]

My mom drives a Toyota Highlander hybrid and it is VERY quiet when the battery is running.  The dogs don't react when she pulls into the driveway...and they react to every noise outside!  I also have to double check the thing is on everytime I drive it, it just makes zero start up noise.

She has also had a couple of close calls with people walking right out behind or in front of it because they just didn't realize it was on.

[dbacks fan]

I think it would be nice if it sounded like my 1971 Volkswagen Super Beetle, just without leaving oil all over the driveway.

It's not leaking oil, it's just marking it's territory. 

[Gaspar]