Electric vehicles are considered the option for gasoline vehicles, to reduce the impact of harmful emissions on the environment. But what if electric vehicles also contribute to harm to health?
Yes Electric car batteries emit radiation. EMF radiation is generated by electric car batteries. The fact is that all electric gadgets have an Electromagnetic Field around them.
Most of the studies suggest that radiation emitted by electric car batteries is safe. Based on ICNIRP guidelines, studies suggest that the radiation emitted by electric cars is 20% of the standard limit. It is adequate, and there is no risk of unhealthy radiation exposure.
So we are already living with lots of radiation. The phone, or laptop you are using also produces Electromagnetic fields (EMF).
The main question is, if electric car batteries emit radiation, then are they safe? Are electric cars safe?
How Much Do Electric Car Batteries Emit Radiation?
Electric vehicles have a certain amount of magnetic field around them. This electromagnetic field should be always less than the standard limits.
Electric vehicles have 20% of the radiation of the standard radiation set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. The research says that,
“Results for the measured EVs showed that the exposure reached 20% of the ICNIRP 2010 reference levels for general public exposure near the battery and in the vicinity of the feet during vehicle start-up, but was less than 2% at head height for the front passenger position. Maximum exposures of the order of 10% of the ICNIRP 2010 reference levels were obtained for the cars with conventional powertrains.”
Magnetic Field Exposure Assessment in Electric Vehicles
So basically the exposure to EMF radiation in electric cars is different in different areas of the electric car. Here is a table showing the distribution of radiation in an electric vehicle.
| Position | Radiation |
|---|---|
| Near the battery | 20% |
| Head Height of Front Passenger Position | Less than 2% |
| In cars with conventional Powertrains | 10% |
According to a 2016 study, here are the values of electromagnetic radiation in electric cars versus gas-powered vehicles.
| Vehicle type | Radiation |
|---|---|
| Electric vehicle | 0.6 to 3.5 uT |
| Gasoline Vehicle | 0.4 to 0.6 uT |
As we can see the radiation in the electric vehicle is higher as compared to the gasoline vehicles. The radiation in electric cars is higher because of the electric car batteries.
But it is under limits set by International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
So the radiation emitted by electric car batteries is lower than the standard safety levels. Is radiation emitted by electric car battery is safe?
Is Radiation Emitted By Electric Car Batteries Safe?
Radiations are everywhere, and we are living with them. Mobile phone towers, smartphones, Bluetooth connectivity, the internet everything emits radiation.
Electric vehicles also do the same. But is it safe to have an electric car if emits EMF radiation?
Most of the studies suggest that radiation emitted by electric car batteries is safe. Based on ICNIRP guidelines, studies suggest that the radiation emitted by electric cars is 20% of the standard limit. It is adequate, and there is no risk of unhealthy radiation exposure.
The radiation exposure by electric car batteries is significantly less that that of the exposure from chest X-rays, coast-to-coast flight, etc. Studies have suggested that flight crews have elevated levels of many types of cancer.
Depending on the position of the driver, the exposure of the electric car battery radiation is different. The farther the position of the EV driver from the electric car, the less the exposure to radiation emitted by electric car batteries.
Also, an important thing to consider is, people with artificial implant devices, such as cardioverter-defibrillators, Pacemakers, etc. should not go too close to electric car batteries and electric car motors when they are running.
When electric car batteries emit radiation, a small amount of electromagnetic radiation can also affect the working of the implanted devices. The more they avoid exposure to radiation near the electric car battery, the more it is safe.
Electric Car Batteries Emit Radiation – The Dark Side
You might be thinking that all the researchers have declared that EVs are safe in terms of radiation.
While most experts agree that the levels of electromagnetic radiation emitted by electric car batteries are safe.
But, several studies say that the EMF guidelines suggested by the (ICNIRP) International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection are inadequate to protect the health of humans.
And there is a section of scientists not happy with the guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection.
Based on their research, more than 240 EMF experts have signed the International EMF Scientist Appeal which approaches World Health Organization (WHO) to establish stronger guidelines for ELF and radio frequency EMF.
So if the measurements by the researchers are less than the ICNIRP guidelines, the electric car owners might have a higher risk of developing cancer and other health problems due to exposure to radiation.
Does Radiation Emitted by Electric Car Batteries cause Cancer?
Electric vehicles are considered to cause less harm to the environment. But when it comes to the body, electromagnetic radiation has been said to be causing cancer.
The risk of causing cancer due to electric cars is low or nothing, as per the current EMF limits set by ICNIRP. The levels of electromagnetic radiation produced by electric cars are less than that of the standard limits.
Hence there is no risk of electric car batteries causing cancer.
Though EMF exposure is considered to cause cancer, the levels of electromagnetic radiation from electric car batteries are far less than the other exposures such as X-rays, Flights, etc.
Design Guidelines To Reduce Electric Car Battery Exposure
Automakers need to consider EMF radiations also while making electric cars.
The researchers recommend automakers place the batteries and interconnectors far away as much possible from the passenger seat areas. Because the batteries and interconnectors are significant sources of electromagnetic radiation.
Also if the distance between the passenger and the battery is not sufficient (less than 200mm), researchers recommend that steel shields should be used to separate batteries from the passenger area.
Almost every EV has a structure such as a passenger exposed to the least amount of radiation.
How To Protect Ourselves From Electric Car Battery Radiation?
Small gadgets such as your smartphone, also have a magnetic field. They also emit Electromagnetic radiation. And the truth is that we are living in electromagnetic radiation for years.
So in an electric car, if you want to reduce the amount of radiation you get exposed to, then you should reduce the use of these gadgets too.
Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself from electric car battery radiation.
- Reduce or Avoid the use of your smartphone.
- Turn off Bluetooth and Wifi Devices.
- Reduce the number of calls you receive and make.
- Use an EMF protection suit. (that sounds weird BTW)
And psychologically, it is better to just see nature around you from inside the windows of your electric car is better than looking into the electronic smartphone. Isn’t it?
Or another option is to get a quick nap in the car if you have a trusted, good driver. That will definitely boost your productivity.
Reduce the use of smartphones, wifi, and Bluetooth devices in an electric car to protect yourself from electric car battery radiation.
Conclusion:
Conclusion #1: Electric car batteries emit radiation
Electric car batteries emit radiation. In a study, it is found that the radiation emitted by electric car batteries is 20% of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) limits.
But some experts also say that the radiation limits set by ICNIRP are inadequate. One fact is that the radiation emitted by electric car batteries is less than the X-rays, Board to Board Flights.
We regularly expose ourselves to radiation by smartphones, wi-fi, and Bluetooth devices. There is no risk of causing cancer by radiation exposure in electric vehicles as per ICNIRP standards for EMF radiations.
Conclusion #2: Radiation Emitted by Electric Car Batteries is Safe
The amount of radiation exposure is different at different parts of the electric vehicles. People with artificial implant devices should avoid going near the battery when they are generating lots of power.
The driver’s seat should be far away from the battery. The few things by which you can minimize radiation exposure in an electric car are turning off your smartphones, turning off your Bluetooth devices, etc.
Here we tried to answer, do electric car batteries emit radiation? And we covered almost every question that comes to your mind regarding electric car battery radiation. Hope it helped.
What do you think, how electric car radiations can harm your body or not? Comment Down your thoughts.
FAQs
What Type Of Radiation do Electric Cars Emit?
Electric cars emit two types of radiation.
1. ELF (Extremely Low Frequency) EMF radiations [From electric car Batteries, Internal Circuits, etc.]
2. Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation [From Wireless devices inside EV]
Do Electric Cars Emit Carbon Monoxide?
Electric Cars Do Not Emit Carbon Monoxide. Electric cars are clean vehicles and come under the category of zero-emission vehicles. They don not cause any kind of Emission as Gasoline Vehicles do.
Do Electric Cars Cause Cancer?
No electric cars do not cause cancer. The radiation emitted by electric vehicles is less than the standard radiation limits.
Who Should Avoid Exposure To Radiations Produced By Electric Car Batteries?
People with artificial implant devices, such as cardioverter-defibrillators, Pacemakers, etc. should not go too close to electric car batteries and electric car motors when they are running.
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