Which is Better: Electromagnetic Suspension or Air Suspension?
2 Answers
Which is better between electromagnetic suspension and air suspension depends on the driving environment. In areas with good road conditions, air suspension is preferable as it is less likely to have its air tank scratched by gravel or other debris. In regions with harsh weather conditions, electromagnetic suspension is the better choice. Air suspension consists of an air spring and an adjustable damper, offering the ability to adjust vehicle height and change damping. It is a fully active suspension system. Depending on the road surface, the suspension can be adjusted on-demand to achieve optimal performance, providing excellent adaptability. Its downside is the relatively complex structure and high cost. Electromagnetic suspension is an independent suspension system that operates based on electromagnetic response. The structure of electromagnetic suspension is relatively simple, comprising an onboard control system, wheel displacement sensors, electromagnetic hydraulic rods, and straight-tube shock absorbers. It can be powered directly by the car battery, resulting in low power consumption. Since the suspension effect is achieved through electromagnetic response, there are fewer moving parts, allowing it to operate in temperatures ranging from -50°C to 140°C. Additionally, it produces significantly less noise compared to other suspension systems. Similar to air suspension, it can adjust to various driving modes, offering different driving experiences. Its drawback also lies in the cost issue.
As an ordinary person who frequently drives in the city, I've pondered whether electromagnetic suspension or air suspension is more suitable. Electromagnetic suspension reacts super fast, with almost no body roll during cornering, giving a very stable feel, but it can be quite bumpy on poor road conditions, leading to backache after long drives. In comparison, air suspension is more considerate—it adaptively adjusts height, softly absorbing shocks when encountering potholes or speed bumps, making the ride much more comfortable, especially for daily commutes where it helps alleviate fatigue. Air suspension can also raise the vehicle height, making parking or entering/exiting garages easier, an advantage electromagnetic suspension lacks. However, electromagnetic suspension has a longer lifespan, with no need to replace airbags or other components, but in daily driving, the overall comfort of air suspension clearly wins. Considering convenience and practicality, I think air suspension is more suitable for most scenarios, unless you're particularly fond of high-speed driving.
