Brake dust is much less of an issue with electrics too, but agreed that tires are still a factor. But as someone who lived in urban centers for the majority of his life - I think getting down to tires being the major issue is solving the majority of the problem.

> aside from accelerating at stoplights, electric cars and gas cars make similar noise levels just from the rubber against the road.

There's also the idle engine rumbling noise while waiting at stoplights, which does not exist on electric cars.