More EVs on the road could mean less noise pollution and better health

If you're one of those people who plays '90s hits at max volume, have a super loud exhaust on your Honda Civic or like standing next the biggest speakers at a music festival, go read something else. Your ear drums are already stuffed, we can help you.

For everyone else, it may be time to ditch your regular car and get an EV – or at least stay away from major traffic. That's the word according to Nissan, which undertook an experiment in major Asia-Pacific cities to find out how much noise pollution exists. Why? Well, it wants to sell more EVs, suggesting they are the antidote for all your hearing health woes.

So, Melbourne, Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila, Seoul, Jakarta and Bangkok among other cities had an average traffic noise level of 76 decibels (dB). According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) that's four times louder than recommended.

To give some context to how loud that truly is, rustling leaves are 20db, a washing machine is 50db, a Vacuum cleaner is 65dB and a chain saw is 100db.

Extended exposure to traffic noise as low as 53dB can result in adverse health effects (so can eating burgers, but that's another story). These include hearing loss, increased blood pressure and even heart attacks.

The authors of the WHO report from 2011 wrote that "there is overwhelming evidence that exposure to environmental noise has adverse effects on the health of the population". Traffic noise was rated as the second most dangerous environmental threat to public health, after air pollution.

Air pollution is decreasing but noise pollution is not. Nissan reckons that compared to the standard urban street, a region inhabited only with electric vehicles would make everyone feel zen-like, eventually dancing around in circles singing Kumbayah.

Where regular urban street noise can peak at 90dB, the 21dB Nissan LEAF powertrain is quieter than the average library.

Nissan goes on to say that EVs will help lower traffic noise but can also have a deeper effect, the "benefits of which at a societal level can include higher property values and increased levels of pedestrian street activity and social interaction."

Kumbayah indeed!

While the rest of the world continues to buy more EVs, just 0.2 per cent of the million or so new vehicles bought each year in Australia are battery electric, but with all sides of politics making more noise (pun intended) about increasing EV uptake, this is set to change.

"As this small test indicates, 100 per cent electric vehicles like the Nissan LEAF's zero emission, quiet engine has the strong potential to positively improve environmental concerns for societies in Asia and Oceania," said Yutaka Sanada, regional senior vice president for Nissan Asia & Oceania.

Another option would be to get some noise cancelling headphones. Bit cheaper than a $50,000 Nissan LEAF. Just sayin'.

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