I first heard the phrase used by parent in a video [1] by youtube channel Not Just Bikes, which found EVs to be similar to ICE cars at typical speeds.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTV-wwszGw8

In my experience, EVs are nearly as loud as IC, as the majority of the noise at typical stroad speeds comes from the tires, not the engine.

The engine noises in cities are generally not a huge problem outside of trucks (or POS cars modified to make noise).

The issue that people apparently think that the horn makes the red light turn green faster or will magic away the car blocking the box.