The background noise bothers me less than cars and motorcycles with intentionally loud mufflers.

Some of which are already technically illegal, its just a law that's not enforced well.

Aye, I know - but I have noticed a massive difference in drive by noise whenever a Tesla S drives past, versus much smaller cars like Renaults and such. It's enough to make a difference individually, I'm curious to hear what it's like cumulatively.

I suppose the big one I'm waiting for is electric motorbikes - I've whinged them on HN beforehand, but those buggers can be heard from blocks away, waking or annoying thousands - tens of thousands! - of people in built-up urban areas.

(ed. spelling)

Me too, I'm really hoping that electrics get rid of a lot of annoying and completely unnecessary vehicle noise.

I know they won't kill the tire/wind sounds, but if they break the mental association of loud == fast == cool for men, it could be a game changer.

No more ridiculously loud acceleration from 'modded' cars and bikes...

Also heavy trucks / buses under acceleration can be loud too, hopefully those'll go away as well.

On the other hand, the noise peaks from (older) accelerating engines is one of the most annoying sounds. I can live with the background hum of tire/road friction.