Nissan Raises Noise Awareness with LEAF-Powered Night Race
The Nissan LEAF took part in a midnight race to raise noise awareness
We’re exposed to so much noise in everyday life that we almost forget it’s there. Even in our quietest moments, noise is still all around us—the hum of the air conditioning, the whir of the computer fans, the engine purr of the cars outside.
According to the World Health Organization, at least 13.5 percent of Europeans are exposed to traffic noise that exceeds 55 dB, which is actually harmful to human health. Noise levels above 50 dB can cause insomnia, obesity, psychic disorders, and even a reduction in life expectancy.
To help raise noise awareness, Nissan celebrated the 19th annual International Noise Awareness Day with a night race in the streets of one of Europe’s quietest villages—and no one noticed.
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- 2014 Nissan LEAF
That’s because the four racing cars were all 100-percent electric Nissan LEAFs, which have a running noise of only 21 dB. That’s less than a ceiling fan and much less than the World Health Organization’s nighttime 40 dB noise target for Europe.
“One thing that surprises people most about the Nissan LEAF is the feeling of near silence, it is incredibly liberating and makes for a very relaxing driving experience,” says Jean-Pierre Diernaz, director of electric vehicles, Nissan Europe. “Most of the noise you hear when a Nissan LEAF is running at low speed in town is actually artificially created to help alert pedestrians to the vehicle’s presence.”
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