EM Radiation Research Trust, a UK charity that campaigns on electromagnetic radiation, asks whether the electromagnetic environment inside electric vehicles could contribute to the nausea some passengers report. The BBC reported the symptoms and gave acceleration, regenerative braking, reduced engine noise and sensory conflict as possible explanations.
Its chairman, Brian Stein CBE, describes being unable to travel in an electric car since becoming electrically sensitive in 2000. On 8 October, the day the article was published, the charity wrote to Richard Judge, chair of the UK Vehicle Certification Agency, asking how electromagnetic exposure inside electric and hybrid vehicles is currently assessed in vehicle type approval and electromagnetic compatibility testing.
Quotes
"The BBC is reporting that some passengers are becoming sick when travelling in electric vehicles (EVs), with acceleration, regenerative braking, reduced engine noise and sensory conflict suggested as possible explanations."
"At the same time, Microwave News has reported significant magnetic-field exposures and transient pulses associated with acceleration and braking in electric and hybrid vehicles."
"Nausea, dizziness, vertigo, headaches, fatigue, sweating and a general feeling of unwellness are among symptoms reported by people who describe themselves as experiencing electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS)."
"I became ES in 2000. I found driving modern cars difficult for me because of the electronics in the front of the car. [...] My Finance Director changed his car to an electric car. After a few minutes in the back of his car I had to stop and return to base as I could not cope with the sensations I had in the electric car. Very bad."
"Before assuming every case is simply motion sickness, let’s investigate the vehicle, measure the exposure and listen to the people experiencing the symptoms."
"On 8 October 2026, we wrote to Richard Judge, Chair of the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA), asking how electromagnetic exposure inside electric and hybrid vehicles is currently assessed within vehicle type approval and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing."
Location
📍 United Kingdom
