A Silly Study Fuels Fantasies About Electric Cars
This page is translated from the original post "Une étude stupide nourrit les fantasmes autour des voitures électriques" in French.

A new study concludes that electric cars meet electromagnetic radiation safety thresholds.
Is this study in itself good news for the electric automotive industry? Yes, and in some ways, not really. In reality, this study commissioned by the German government is an absurdity that, instead of reassuring, risks fueling conspiracy theories and anti-electric vehicle sentiments.
To begin with, let’s recall a basic fact: all electrical devices, from hair dryers to smartphones, produce magnetic fields. This is no secret; it’s basic physics taught in middle school. But here’s the problem: by commissioning a study to assess whether these vehicles are “dangerous,” the government unnecessarily opens Pandora’s box. It suggests, even unintentionally, that a risk exists. This gives ammunition to those who criticize electromobility.
A new disguised fiasco disguised as a study
The study, conducted on 14 vehicles (including 11 electric), shows that the generated magnetic fields comply with current standards. Even peak values, measured during acceleration or braking, are well below thresholds that could impact health. But then, why make a big deal out of it? If the results reveal nothing problematic, perhaps the real question is: how much money was spent to learn something that was already known?
Digging deeper, we find that the study identifies the areas of the vehicle where fields are strongest, such as spaces near the feet. Of course, these observations are nothing new: electric components like batteries or high-voltage cables, the obvious sources, are located there. But by emphasizing these details, the study could fuel irrational fears rather than provide reassurance.
Worse still, by advocating for stricter standards on tiny, harmless variations, the study’s authors push for costly technical adjustments that could slow down the adoption of electric cars.
In short, although dressed with good intentions, this study only serves to distract and reinforce baseless fears. Meanwhile, real challenges such as developing infrastructure and reducing overall emissions await concrete solutions.
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