Valid point, although pedestrian safety is mostly discussed in the low-to-mid-speed regime (<= 45 MPH), while tire noise (at least according to my own observation) dominates in the high speed regime (>= 65 MPH). There might be some overlap though.

Also worth pointing out: NVH is not just Noise --- it includes Vibration and Harshness that are only felt by the people inside the vehicle.

And effective at rattling off any untorqued/loose nuts/bolts.

You can ear an EV very well, the rolling noise and the wind noise is difficult to miss. Of course if the EV is driven very slowly it's not noisy unless it has a fake sound like many does, but it's not very dangerous either.

Ironically NVH is even more important in EVs since the engine noise no longer drowns out unpleasant sounds like fan motors, hums, squeaks/rattles

Every EV sold today must make noise at low speeds.[1]

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_vehicle_warning_sound...

Some EVs have mandatory sound emitters to not be fully silent (and thus dangerous). I thought it was weird harmonics from the synRM engine but it's synthetic and enforced by regulations.

Hybrids as well. The Toyota Prius has had this at low velocities since before EV cars were mass produced (I believe Toyota uses a speaker that makes a sort of sci fi sound). It is a legal requirement to generate a minimum amount of noise to sell a car in some countries.

I thought it was a plastic valence rubbing on something.

nah it's on purpose https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNkGD_Sryxg

Noise is not good, ever.