The political factions of the SPD and the Greens in the Hamburg Bürgerschaft are calling for a nationwide ban on artificial noise generated by electric vehicles at higher speeds. The factions announced this Sunday that they endorse a Federal Council initiative designed to more effectively combat what has been termed “car posing.” The Bürgerschaft is scheduled to make a decision on this red-green initiative during its session on September 16th.
Ole Thorben Buschhüter, the traffic policy spokesperson for the SPD faction in Hamburg, asserted that technological progress should aim to reduce traffic noise, not artificially replicate it. He stated, “Especially in a densely populated city, it is an advantage if the transition to electric mobility also results in less noise on the streets.” While acknowledging that the necessary warning sounds at low speeds are vital for safety and are not up for debate, Buschhüter pushed back against synthetic engine sounds. “Moreover, there is no need for an artificial engine sound designed solely to imitate a combustion engine,” he argued, stressing the desire to eliminate this unnecessary noise across the country.
Rosa Domm, the mobility spokesperson for the Green faction, highlighted the severe health effects of excessive noise, noting that it causes stress and can lead to illness. She pointed out that individuals constantly exposed to traffic noise are at a higher risk of issues such as sleep disorders and cardiovascular problems. “That is why we aim to reduce the noise burden from road traffic in Hamburg,” she explained. Domm suggested that EVs offer a solution, as they are not only efficient and environmentally friendly but also significantly quieter than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles.
Domm criticized the notion that manufacturers should retrofit EVs to include artificial engine sounds even at high speeds, calling it a step in the wrong direction. “For everyone affected by daily traffic noise, such plans sound like a bad joke,” she commented. Therefore, the factions are pressing for a nationwide ban on artificial noise in EVs that merely mimics the sound of combustion cars.
Currently, all newly registered electric vehicles have been required since July 2021 to produce artificial sounds at low speeds. This requirement ensures that pedestrians and cyclists are warned and that the vehicles can be perceived acoustically. However, at higher speeds, protective noise is already deemed sufficient through the sound generated by the tires rolling on the road.
