A RESEARCH OF NOISE EMITTED BY CONVENTIONAL FUEL-POWERED AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Abstract

This article analyses the noise emissions of conventional and electric vehicles running on conventional fuels. More than 20% of the European Union's population is exposed to excess noise from road transport, a trend that has been going on for 10-15 years. Vehicle noise is caused by running engines, road and tyre contact with the road surface, aerodynamic and vibrating structures. In this study, the noise generated by conventional fuel and electric cars was analysed. It was found that the greatest difference in noise generation between the vehicles studied occurs at lower speeds. At a speed of 30 km/h, the electric car generated the lowest noise 58,8 dB(A), the petrol car 62,2 dB(A) and the diesel car 64,2 dB(A). At higher speeds, the noise generated by all the vehicle types tested is uniform, with noise increasing exponentially with increasing speed. Diesel and petrol cars are characterised by higher noise levels at low frequencies (31.5-250 Hz bands) and relatively small differences in noise levels in the 30-50 km/h speed range. Electric cars have been found to be quietest at low speeds, but increase significantly with speed. The higher sound pressure levels of a conventional fuel vehicle are observed in the low frequency spectrum, whereas the noise levels of an electric vehicle are concentrated in the higher frequency spectrum. The results obtained also have practical implications for the reduction of ambient noise in urban environments.