Why electric cars might be making some passengers feel sick

Why electric cars might be making some passengers feel sick

Lola Baird, a 24-year-old from north London, recently had to ask her boyfriend to stop the car during a journey because she was overcome with nausea and ended up vomiting near the vehicle. This was a new experience for her, as she had never suffered from motion sickness before her boyfriend purchased an electric vehicle (EV) two years prior. Since then, longer trips in his EV have frequently left her feeling extremely queasy, to the point that she has requested he switch to a different car.

Lola’s experience is not unique. Several individuals, including some parents reporting on behalf of their children, have shared with BBC News that they notice greater incidences of motion sickness when riding as passengers in electric vehicles. Conversely, many EV owners report no such issues, indicating that the phenomenon is not universally experienced. This dichotomy raises the question: why might electric vehicles cause or exacerbate motion sickness in some passengers?

Experts studying this matter provide some possible explanations, though research remains limited. Dr. Irene Di Giulio, a senior lecturer specializing in anatomy and biomechanics at King’s College London, suggests that some people may be more prone to motion sickness in electric cars compared to traditional vehicles. Similarly, Dr. Nicholas Hac, a neurologist in Chicago who focuses on dizziness and vertigo, acknowledges hearing from patients who seem to suffer motion sickness specifically in EVs. He mentions hearing reports “many, many, many times,” with approximately two patients per month citing this issue.

Despite these observations, more robust scientific investigations are needed to confirm any direct link. According to Dr. Bill Yates from the University of Pittsburgh, who has researched motion sickness, current knowledge is “pretty sketchy at this point.” While anecdotal accounts exist, comprehensive and conclusive studies remain to be conducted. As the use of electric vehicles becomes more widespread, understanding the cause of these symptoms could become increasingly important, particularly for the comfort and wellbeing of passengers

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More