- Scientists identify regenerative braking and silent EV operation as factors in increased motion sickness.
- EV passengers may feel nauseous due to unfamiliar deceleration patterns and lack of engine vibration.
- Experts suggest dynamic ambient lighting could help mitigate motion sickness.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are famed for their serene, silent glide, which can be a dream for drivers but, as it turns out, not always for passengers.
If you’ve ever found yourself feeling unexpectedly carsick in an EV, science says you’re not imagining things.
EVs: silent movers, surprising queasers
What’s behind this unsettling sensation? According to scientists interviewed by The Guardian, two key culprits are at play: regenerative braking and the near-total absence of engine vibrations.
Regenerative braking, that clever tech that helps recharge the battery as you slow down, means deceleration begins the moment a driver lifts off the accelerator. While great for efficiency, this sustained, smooth slowing is quite different to the sharper, more familiar braking of petrol cars.
The result? Our brains, used to decades of combustion-powered cues, struggle to keep up - and that can spell nausea.
Brains craving a bumpy ride
“Greater sickness in EVs can be attributed to a lack of previous experience, as both a driver and as a passenger, where the brain lacks accuracy in estimating the motion forces because it relies on previous experience in other types of cars,” explained William Emond, a PhD student studying car sickness.
He likened the effect to zero-gravity environments, where people often feel sick because their brains haven’t learned how to predict motion in such alien conditions.
Add to this the instant torque delivery of EVs, a feature brilliant for brisk acceleration but potentially unsettling if the driver isn’t feather-light on the pedal. Those new to EVs may find it tricky to modulate both throttle and brake with the finesse needed to keep passengers feeling steady.
A potential cure: Let there be (ambient) light?
So, what’s the fix for EV car sickness? Some experts suggest that subtle cabin cues like ambient lighting that shifts to signal acceleration or braking could help passengers’ brains sync with the car’s movements.
As far as we know, no manufacturer has officially confirmed plans to implement such features just yet, but don’t be surprised if future EVs light the way to a smoother ride.