Ferrari is engineering simulated engine sounds (like most legacy automakers) for its future EVs
According to a recent patent filing, supercar specialist Ferrari intends to implement unique engine noises in its upcoming EVs. It just needs to build them first. The patent includes a system that reproduces combustion engine noises that can be synced with the increased acceleration of the vehicle’s electric motor(s). While this may simply sound like another automaker trying to deliver nostalgia to Ferrari fans accustomed to the roar of combustion, there is an element of safety as well.
Ferrari S.p.A.’s history dates back to Italy to the late 1930s, kicking off the automaker’s concrete status in motorsport history after a number of victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Despite being on the early forefront of such fast cars, Ferrari has been quite slow to adopt electrification.
The Italian automaker has not shunned electric vehicles completely, however. Ferrari currently offers four “electrified” models including the SF90 Stradale plug-in hybrid EV seen below. While the company has yet to deliver the first all-electric Ferrari, there is one already in the works slotted for a debut sometime in 2025 as part of the automaker’s journey become carbon neutral by 2030.
During Ferrari’s second-quarter earnings call in 2022, CEO Benedetto Vigna said the following about the upcoming EV:
We will unveil our first full electric model in 2025, a true Ferrari that will enrich our product range. It will contain several unique features and it will be a sport car as every Ferrari that offers a true Ferrari driving experience.
Following a recent patent filing, we have learned that one of those “unique features” mentioned by Vigna will be a new amplification system that reroute the fabricated sound of an engine out the back of the EV. Stop us if you’ve heard this one before.
Ferrari expects each of its EVs to have a distinct sound
Analysts at ODDO BHF have cited the recently filed patent by Ferrari that describes a unique amplification system targeting distinct engine noises. Per the filing, the patent relates to a “reproduction device for the realization of a sound that can be associated with an electric motor.”
ODDO went on to state that the technology would allow the Ferrari EV to amplify sound from its electric motor(s) while redirecting the noise to the rear of the vehicle where a traditional combustion engine would normally sit.
Last summer, the automaker’s CEO’s explained during a call with investors that sound is a key trait that makes a Ferrari a Ferrari and that every engine has its own recognizable rev. Vigna added that he expects Ferrari EVs to have their own “signature engine” roars too… just without the actual engine.
A note from ODDO BHF this week relays confidence that Ferrari should be able to deliver “a compelling and innovative EV product” in 2025, adding that sound-reproducing technology could help sell affluent fans of the brand to go electric without missing their precious noise pollution too much.
It will be interesting to see how the amplified sound technology works in the Ferrari EV, because they are by no means the first automaker to implement digital engine noises. BMW’s EVs currently have it, as does Mercedes-Benz vehicles which combine the zap of the electric motors along with engine noises for a futuristic, spaceship like drive that remains somewhat familiar. Tesla too!
Another huge argument for simulated engine noises (to reasonable volume) is safety. EVs are sneaky quiet, even at high speeds. Adding audible awareness not only keeps a driver informed of their speed, but also alerts pedestrians and other nearby vehicles that the EV, in this case the Ferrari EV, is coming.
We are sure to learn more when Ferrari officially pulls the sheet off its first BEV, but that’s still a couple years away.
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Environment
Exxon Mobil earnings beat as production growth and cost cuts offset the sting of falling oil prices
Exxon Mobil reported first-quarter earnings Friday that beat Wall Street expectations, but declined from the prior year as crude oil prices have fallen sharply on fears that President Donald Trump’s tariffs will hit global demand.
The oil major said volume growth in the Permian Basin and Guyana combined with cost-cutting measures largely offset lower earnings from weak oil prices. U.S. crude prices have fallen 18% this year as Trump’s tariffs raise fears of slower demand at the same time producers in OPEC+ plan to increase supply.
Exxon shares were up less than 1% in premarket trading after the results.
Here is what Exxon reported for the first quarter compared with what Wall Street was expecting, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG:
- Earnings per share: $1.76 vs. $1.73 per share expected
- Revenue: $83.13 billion, vs. $86.72 billion expected
Exxon said its profits declined 6% to $7.71 billion, or $1.76 per share, from $8.22 billion, or $2.06 per share, in the same quarter last year.
The oil major’s global production business posted earnings of $6.76 billion in the quarter, an increase of about 19% from $5.66 billion in the same period a year ago. Profits in the segment rose due to growth in the Permian and Guyana as well as cost savings.
Earnings in Exxon’s U.S. production segment soared more than 70% to $1.87 billion from $1.05 billion in the same quarter in 2024.
Exxon’s global production came in at 4.55 million barrels per day, an increase of 20% compared to 3.78 million bpd in the year-ago period.
Exxon said first-quarter capital expenditures of $5.9 billion were consistent with its guidance of $27 billion to $29 billion for 2025.
The company said it returned $9.1 billion to shareholders in the quarter, including $4.3 billion in dividends and $4.8 billion in share purchases.
Read the full earnings release here.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Environment
Chevron stock falls as lower profits and oil prices set to slow the pace of stock buybacks
Chevron stock fell on Friday as the oil major’s profit declined, hurt by the steep drop in oil prices this year.
U.S. crude oil prices have fallen about 18% this year as President Donald Trump’s tariffs are expected to weigh on demand at the same time OPEC+ plans to pump more supply into the market.
The oil major said it plans to repurchase $2.5 billion to $3 billion of its own stock in the second quarter, which is lower than the $3.9 billion it bought back in the first quarter.
Chevron shares were recently down more than 2% in premarket trading.
Here is what Chevron reported for the first quarter compared with what Wall Street was expecting, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG:
- Earnings per share: $2.18 adjusted vs. $2.18 expected
- Revenue: $47.61 billion vs. $48.09 billion expected
Chevron’s net income declined more than 30% to $3.5 billion, or $2 per share, from $5.5 billion or $2.97 per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding one-time items, Chevron earned $2.18 per share, which was in line with Wall Street estimates.
Chevron’s U.S. production business posted a profit of $1.86 billion, a decline of more than 10% from $2.08 billion in the year-ago period, as it experienced higher operating expenses and lower commodity prices.
The oil major’s U.S. refining business swung to a profit of $103 million after posting a loss of $348 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. The segment’s earnings, however, declined 77% from $453 million in the year-ago due to lower margins on refined product sales.
Chevron’s produced 3.35 million barrels per day in the quarter, largely flat compared to 3.34 million bpd in the year-ago period.
Capital expenditures declined about 5% to $3.9 billion, down from $4.1 billion one year ago.
Read the full earnings release here.
This is developing story. Please check back for updates.
Environment
Tariffs will increase Zero Motorcycles’ prices on its more affordable e-motorbikes this month
Zero Motorcycles has announced that its newest line of electric motorbikes will see a price increase in the US due to the Trump Administration’s tariff policy. But the saving grace is that the company is allowing reservations made in the next few weeks to secure pre-tariff pricing.
Zero launched its new X-line of smaller electric motorcycles late last year, ushering in a Sur Ron-style pair of bikes that cost a mere fraction of the company’s larger street bikes.
Designed for off-road use in the US or both on and off-road use in Europe, the Zero XB and XE were designed to be as affordable to new riders as they are approachable.
The XB was unveiled with a price tag of a mere US $4,195 or €4,500, while the larger and more powerful XE carried a price tag of US $6,495 or €6,500.
The pair were part of the motorcycle maker’s plans to have six unique models all priced at under US $10,000 in the next two years. However, those plans may face increasing pressure after the Trump Administration imposed harsh new tariffs on imported goods to the US, forcing many manufacturers to increase prices.
Zero’s push for more affordable electric motorcycles is made possible mainly by its partnership with Chinese electric motorcycle manufacturers like Zongshen. While such companies have years of experience manufacturing motorcycles at more affordable prices, their relative cost advantage could take a serious hit under the US’s aggressive stance towards foreign-produced goods.
The first XB and XE motorcycles are expected to be delivered to existing reservation holders this Summer. However, for anyone who doesn’t yet have a pre-order in place, Zero says that it will still honor the existing pricing for reservations placed before May 18, 2025.
Bikes reserved in the next two weeks are not expected to ship until later this year, meaning they will almost certainly be subject to increased tariffs, though it appears Zero is prepared to eat those tariffs for an early group of reservation holders.
“Zero Motorcycles remains committed in our mission to deliver industry-leading electric motorcycles while maintaining an accessible price point for consumers around the world,” said Sam Paschel, CEO of Zero Motorcycles. “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. And by honoring prices for early reservation holders – despite the shifting global economy – we’re reinforcing our position as the leader in the electric space and building the future of two-wheel transportation.”
Electrek’s Take
What a time to double down on Chinese partnerships. I feel for Zero, who was obviously looking for a way to reach more riders, especially young riders in the Sur Ron/Talaria demographic, and found the obvious way to do so by going to the world’s biggest market for producing e-motorcycles.
That’s not to say that US-based production isn’t possible. Zero used to do more production locally before slowly shifting more and more of its manufacturing overseas. There are still companies like Ryvid who manufacture in the US, though even those companies rely on many imported components and will still likely take a hit from tariffs.
The long and the short of it is that the entire electric motorcycle industry is going to be shaken by these tariff policies, and no US consumer will spared. Or at least, none after May 18th.
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