Perceptual Difference on HVAC Sound Quality between Electric and Conventional Vehicles

The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system is one of the most critical sources in in-vehicle noise environment, especially when cars are moving at low speed or at lower engine rotation. With the transition to electric vehicles (EV) from internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEV), the contribution of powertrain becomes lower on the background noise inside car cabins. The authors have been conducting a collaborative research on HVAC sound quality inside car cabins. In this paper the results of a subjective evaluation of HVAC sound quality were presented, that attempted to compare the perceptual differences among the two groups, i.e. EVs and ICEVs. The result revealed the difference in the noise perception among the two types of vehicles especially softer air flow rate conditions.