What should an electric car sound like?

The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) has eliminated the inherent mechanical noise of internal combustion engines, creating a safety and cultural vacuum that regulators and sound designers are now filling. Since 2019, the US and EU have mandated Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS) to protect pedestrians and provide drivers with audible feedback. These systems must adhere to strict parameters: volume must increase with speed until 30 km/h, and pitch must shift to indicate acceleration or deceleration. Designers face the challenge of creating sounds that are informative without being annoying, moving beyond simple linear loops by layering orchestral samples, ancient instruments like the Australian didgeridoo, or skeuomorphic cues that mimic traditional engines. This intentional sound design serves as a technological bridge, using familiar auditory metaphors to help society transition from the era of combustion to a new, synthesized sonic landscape.