I have a Mk2 Kodiaq PHEV, and I’m generally very happy with the vehicle.

I read somewhere on the Škoda website that all PHEVs and EVs should have an electronic engine noise when driving at slow speeds as a way of protecting pedestrians.

I don’t think my car makes any noise (other than a very quiet whine from the electric motor) when it’s moving.

(I have stood next to the car as it was being driven and didn’t hear anything)

I guess the question is, should it make a noise?

I remember hearing a few years ago that they were considering a fake engine noise to warn pedestrians but nothing seems to have come of it. All electric cars seem to make that whining noise and no more. Some petrol/diesels, particularly high end cars like Land Rovers have/had external noise generators to make them sound sporty. I think that some Kodiak Mk1s have one.

What came of it is the legislation started in 2021 , mandatory. (Should have been 2019)

Compulsory sound warning.

Nothing to do with a 'Fake engine noise'.

Yet my 2023 MINI Cooper SE (Electric) does not make a warning noise for predestrians / cyclists when it is going below 12 mph.

Neither did my 2020 Corsa Electric.

It should not matter that they were Type Approved before 2019. But maybe that is the case.

Edited 4 August, 20254 Aug by Ootohere

Its more like a sci-fi spaceship sound than an engine noise. But there is definitely some sound being produced.

My RAV4 Hybrid made minimal noise, but certainly audible to a pedestrian without earplugs, and looking where they're going instead of staring at a phone.

Try to set it to Sport mode, the noise will be a bit louder.

I will try it in sports mode … that’s a good idea.

I found this from Škoda, relating to the Elroq

https://www.skoda-storyboard.com/en/skoda-world/the-elroq-sounds-unique-hear-for-yourself/

I had another go at finding the page, and this is a screen shot

I tried to grab the url too, but can’t seem to get the link to go straight to the page:

https://www.skoda-auto.com/models/layers/layers/the-all-new-kodiaq-plugin-hybrid-technology

If you scroll you should find it

18 minutes ago, BudgieUK said:

I will try it in sports mode … that’s a good idea.

I found this from Škoda, relating to the Elroq

https://www.skoda-storyboard.com/en/skoda-world/the-elroq-sounds-unique-hear-for-yourself/

You can set it to Sport mode and then go electric, I added a shortcut for E-mode on the top dashboard, you’ll be driving a UFO. 🤪

Edited 5 August, 20255 Aug by razvanac

@razvanac does that make it louder in EV mode at 19 km/h and below?

On 04/08/2025 at 07:48, Ootohere said:

It should not matter that they were Type Approved before 2019. But maybe that is the case.

That is the case, the requirement to "make a noise" was for all new Type Approvals not all new builds.

Vauxhall took advantage of a similar "loop hole" regarding DRLs which allowed them to continue selling many vehicles without DRLs after 2014 when that requirement came into force^.

@PetrolDave As did Skoda in 2011 - 2014 with the Mk2 Fabia, and actually with some of the 'All New 3rd generation' Mk3 Fabia that did not get New Type Approval.

Edited 5 August, 20255 Aug by Ootohere

You can always lean out of the window and make "brum-brum-brum" noises ;-)