How Severe Is the Radiation from Pure Electric Vehicles?
2 Answers
Pure electric vehicle electromagnetic radiation is not severe and falls within the normal range. Electromagnetic radiation is the primary source of radiation in electric vehicles, and it is safe and harmless as long as it remains within the national regulatory limits. Drivers and passengers in electric vehicles are just as safe as those in hydrogen, gasoline, or diesel-powered cars. No electric vehicle exposes its occupants to electromagnetic fields exceeding international safety standards. The highest magnetic field values in electric vehicles occur near the floor, around the battery itself, and when the vehicle starts. In all cases, exposure to the magnetic fields inside an electric vehicle is less than 20% of the safety limits recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Measurements taken at head level are consistently below 2% of these limits. New energy vehicles refer to those that use unconventional vehicle fuels as power sources (or use conventional vehicle fuels with new types of onboard power devices), integrating advanced technologies in vehicle power control and drive systems to form vehicles with advanced technical principles, new technologies, and innovative structures. New energy vehicles include four main types: hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), pure electric vehicles (BEV, including solar-powered vehicles), fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV), and other new energy vehicles (such as those using supercapacitors, flywheels, and other high-efficiency energy storage devices). Unconventional vehicle fuels refer to fuels other than gasoline and diesel.
As an ordinary mom who drives an electric car with kids, I was initially worried about radiation too, but after delving deeper, I felt much more at ease. The radiation from pure electric vehicles is mainly electromagnetic, coming from the battery and motor, but its intensity is actually very low. International organizations like the WHO have safety standards that limit radiation to below 10 microteslas, and electric vehicles typically range between 0.5 to 2 microteslas during actual driving—weaker than household appliances like hair dryers or phone chargers. I even used a tool to measure the radiation inside the car, and it was about the same level as riding the subway or using Wi-Fi. Scientists say there’s no risk from long-term exposure because the car’s metal body shields most of the electric field. Most importantly, electric cars eliminate tailpipe pollution, which is better for children’s respiratory health. In short, the radiation really isn’t a big deal—don’t scare yourself unnecessarily. Just enjoy the quiet ride.
