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How the EV Era Revived the Quest for Perfect Ride Quality

By Cody Carlson Autoblog

Updated June 25, 2026 4:52 PM

Instant torque exposed how poorly traditional suspensions hide imperfections

Electric vehicle (EV) acceleration is immediate and constant, but this amplifies any chassis harshness. In contrast, internal combustion engine (ICE) cars have engine vibration and gear shifts that tend to mask low-speed ride imperfections. Without these distractions, EVs are more mechanically exposed to road surfaces, and suspension tuning is more noticeable. Simultaneously, EV's significant battery mass and low center of gravity heighten ride tuning challenges, and battery weight (along with poorly damped chassis) caused vertical bounce and secondary ride motions, such as choppiness. Engineers had to adapt and control EV body motions without overly stiff spring and damper rates, particularly at low speeds where sharp inputs are more apparent. In response, the EV makers strived for ultra-controlled body motion rather than acceptable ride comfort, and this effort has influenced the greater auto industry.

arena photography — Tesla Cybertruck configurator

Heavier batteries forced engineers to rethink ride comfort from the ground up

In general, the larger an EV battery is, the more energy it can store and the heavier it is. Higher vehicle curb weights often lead to stiffer springs and firmer damping, which can be problematic for EVs. Stiffer springs raise frequencies and worsen the primary ride, making transmissions from instances like bumps harsher, while firmer damping hurts secondary EV ride quality with higher frequency inputs in the cabin, like when driving over small cracks. Part of the core EV engineering challenge is balancing structural support with compliance over small road imperfections, which has made tire sidewall stiffness a critical factor. A stiffer sidewall helps control an EV's extra heft and tire deformation during directional changes.

Additionally, air and multi-link suspension systems have become more common in EV platforms. Air suspension auto-leveling compensates for battery weight and shifting loads to maintain performance consistency, and lowering an EV's body at highway speeds reduces aerodynamic drag for more range. Multi-link suspension handles higher EV weights by reducing body roll and improving cornering stability through a minimum of three control arms per wheel. In comparison, simpler suspension systems, like the MacPherson strut, use one or two arms per wheel. Skateboard EV architectures, platforms that house batteries, motors, and suspension in a flat, skateboard-like chassis, complement multi-link suspension systems in EVs by putting the heaviest component, the battery, as low as possible. A battery that's inches from the ground reduces body roll and improves handling. Skateboard EV architectures also spread the battery across the floor for a 50/50 balance from front to rear.

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Silence became the new luxury benchmark that exposed suspension flaws

With road and suspension noise like small vibrations being more noticeable in earlier EVs, engineers had an opportunity for refinement, and the idea of cabin serenity as luxury took firmer hold. Making things quieter in newer EVs requires balancing wind, road, and powertrain noise. Prime examples of solutions include advanced acoustic insulation materials, active noise cancellation systems, aerodynamic enhancements, and enhanced tire technology. Advanced acoustic insulation materials in EVs are lightweight and target high-frequency motor whine and road noise. Active noise cancellation technology in EVs works similarly to noise-canceling headphones, using microphones and speakers to generate counteracting sounds to reduce unwanted noise. Regarding aerodynamic enhancements, examples of design choices that minimize wind noise include active air-vent controls and digital cameras replacing side mirrors. Manufacturers mitigate tire road noise with technologies such as foam inserts that absorb vibrations, tread patterns that reduce rolling noise, and newer rubber compounds that reduce contact noise.

EV ride quality became a system-level coordination problem

Softness is vital to overall comfort, but so are controlled movement and stability, and in earlier EVs, improving vertical motion management became especially significant. When evaluating vertical motion, aspects such as secondary oscillations and rebound behavior are key. Earlier EVs had less sophisticated chassis technology because they had extra battery weight and were based on ICE platforms rather than innovations like skateboard architecture. Alongside lower center of gravity and specialized active suspension systems, unified chassis control (UCC) has played a central role in improving vertical motion. According to an MDPI Sensors study, UCC optimizes vertical motion in EVs by coordinating multiple actuators, addressing wheel vibrations that destabilize heavy platforms. Primary chassis actuators include motors, steering, and suspension. For example, UCC can make sure torque from one wheel doesn't make the suspension bounce while steering pulls the other way. The result is controlled vertical motion and ride stability existing despite greater average mass.

The EV era turned ride quality into a defining competitive battleground

EV's evident ride flaws early in the segment's evolution led to a reset in engineering comfort. While ICE cars didn't completely overlook convergence, engineers realized how essential convergence was to EV ride quality refinement. Compared to ICE cars, EVs have fewer masking variables, stronger cross-system interactions, and a bigger software role, so the tighter these systems work together, the higher the ceiling for ride quality. The meticulous mission to optimize ride quality has expanded beyond EVs to the entire auto industry. In 2025, the global automotive NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) materials market was valued at $18.4 billion, and it's expected to grow to $29.6 billion by 2034, according to Dataintelo. If you're interested in buying an EV, check out Road Ethos for Car Buying guides covering popular models like the Mercedes-Benz CLA electric and Tesla Model 3.

This story was originally published June 25, 2026 at 4:33 PM.