Anna Hartz
Electric Cars Are Making People Queasy. Here’s Why
These days, more people are switching to electric cars to help the environment and save money on fuel.
But something unexpected is happening. Many passengers are getting motion sickness in these quiet vehicles, reports Boosted.
It feels surprising because most people expect a smoother ride. But researchers are finding out why it happens, and it has a lot to do with how our brains work.
The Problem with Regenerative Braking
William Edmond, a PhD student in France who studies motion sickness, explains that the brain is always trying to guess what will happen next.
It uses past experiences to predict how your body will move when a car speeds up or slows down.
When what you feel doesn’t match what your brain expected, a conflict starts. If this goes on for too long, you can feel sick.
This is also why drivers almost never get motion sick. They know exactly when the car will turn, stop, or accelerate because they are the ones doing it.
One of the main reasons electric cars cause this problem is regenerative braking.
This system takes the energy from slowing down and turns it into power for the battery.
The braking feels different than what most people are used to. The slow vibrations and unusual deceleration can upset the senses.
Studies have shown that these low-frequency movements raise the chance of nausea. A report in 2024 also found that the vibrations in electric car seats make things worse.
Other Factors
At the same time, electric cars have become much more common. In 2024, they made up 22 percent of all new cars sold around the world.
So more people are noticing the sickness. Social media is full of videos where passengers describe feeling dizzy or nauseous. This has made some buyers worry before getting an electric car.
Another factor is the lack of engine noise. The familiar sound of a gasoline engine helps the brain prepare for movement.
Electric cars are almost silent. Without that sound, the brain misses a clue it has relied on for years. This makes it harder to adjust to the ride.
Even police officers in Denmark felt sick when they tested electric cars for their fleet. They quickly realized they were not immune to the problem either.
