A 24‑year‑old Londoner, Lola Baird, reports feeling nauseous after a 40‑minute ride in her boyfriend’s electric car. The irritation began when the couple bought the vehicle two years ago.
Other passengers echo Lola’s experience, describing motion sickness that is worse in electric cars than in combustion‑engine models. Added to that, several doctors point out that people often notice motion sickness in EVs that they would not feel otherwise.
Dr Irene Di Giulio of King’s College London points out that research so far suggests a link, although data is still limited. Neurologist Dr Nicholas Hac reports two to three patients a month who specifically cite EVs as the trigger.
What could be the cause? Without the familiar sounds of an engine or the steady vibration that signals acceleration, the body’s sensory cues are out of sync. Regenerative braking can produce harsh decelerations if not managed smoothly. Rapid acceleration and deceleration also change the body’s balance early in a journey.
Experts say motion sickness may improve with repeated EV usage but others point out that genetic factors and demographics – women and children are more prone – play a role. One study suggests the condition peaks between ages eight and ten.
To help passengers, designers are testing smoother acceleration software, seat vibrations and subtle audio cues that mirror the feeling of a motorised car’s motion. Car makers are also investigating adaptive regenerative braking that reduces sudden stops.
For now, sufferers can take practical steps: look out the front window, sit near the windscreen, keep the seat upright, relax breathing, open a window for fresh air and hydrate before the trip. A front‑passenger seat or the middle seat in the rear may also help.
With electric cars on the road climbing 40.5% in the last four months, passengers ask: will the industry adapt?
