Is lack of noise with electric cars a potential killer?

EV Small Talk
1

While there is a train of thought that electric cars are relatively silent compared to their combustion engine counterparts is this really true?

The noise you hear from a vehicle, whether combustion or electric motor, is generally the car going through the air and the surrounding sound. Many people believe that a combustion engine noise is just as dangerous as an electric motor noise because by the time you hear the engine it will be too late.

What do you think?

2

I always thought there was an issue with electric cars and the lack of noise but this article seems to suggest otherwise. I suppose when you think about it, the only time you’re really going to hear an internal combustion engine is when it is very near to you and it is probably too late?