eli5: What makes electrical motors in cars so quiet?

Question

I mean in comparison with other motors, like power tools or even home appliances? Is it just sound insulation or is it a different kind of motor?

In: 50

Answer 1

You’ve got two things working for the electric car. First off, the motor is so big that it doesn’t vibrate like a smaller motor. You still get noise but between the bulk dampening the vibrations and the scale meaning it vibrates at a lower frequency it’s harder to notice.

Second, the motors are buried in the frame of the car. The frame acts like a baffle, like you’re hiding your alarm clock under a pillow.