BMW has patented “roaring” engines for electric vehicles!

BMW has filed a patent for an unusual technology that allows electric and hybrid vehicles to emit external sound without using traditional external speakers. The company proposes using already installed auxiliary electric motors (for example, for power windows, wipers, or the trunk), activating them in a specific sequence so that impulse vibrations cause the car body to resonate and generate sound audible from the outside. 

A combination of different motors can be used to create layered or directional sound effects, amplified by special resonators or enclosures. In theory, this approach saves space, weight, and costs, as it eliminates the need for a separate audio system with speakers and wiring. However, most of these auxiliary motors are located inside doors or the trunk, which are not ideal locations for sound projection. Therefore, to achieve the required volume and frequency range, additional development of resonators or dedicated acoustics would be necessary, potentially negating the claimed benefits of efficiency.

At the moment, this is just a patent application — there is no guarantee the idea will be implemented in production models. However, according to European regulations (introduced in July 2019 and mandatory since July 2021), electric vehicles must produce sound at speeds up to ~20 km/h, with a minimum of 56 dB A at a distance of 2 m. Currently, most manufacturers equip EVs with external speakers. BMW offers an alternative solution without loudspeakers or extra components. Similar sound technologies are already being developed under the term Active Sound Design (ASD): synthetic or enhanced sounds are created to improve driver experience and ensure pedestrian safety.

For example, Enhanced Vehicle Acoustics (EVA) has developed the VOSES system for hybrids — it produces a “soft growl” when the car moves forward, changing during turns, offering minimal noise and maximum informational value for nearby pedestrians. Time will tell whether BMW pursues this idea further, but research and development in this area is clearly ongoing. 

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