Phil Bellamy learned after a year of driving his daughter to school in his electric vehicle (EV) that she experienced motion sickness during the trip. While he felt comfortable in the vehicle, his teenage daughters frequently felt ill whenever they got inside. Research indicates that some individuals who do not typically suffer from motion sickness in conventional vehicles report symptoms when riding in electric cars.
Attempting to resolve the issue, Bellamy altered his driving style and even considered purchasing a different vehicle, but the problem persisted, leading to his daughters avoiding rides in the EV whenever possible. Travel sickness tablets have become a necessity for them before any journey.
Despite appreciating the quieter and smoother ride of his electric car, Bellamy hopes that automobile manufacturers will look into addressing motion sickness for passengers. Possible causes of this ailment in EVs may include their rapid acceleration, regenerative braking systems, and the absence of traditional sensory cues like engine noise and vibrations.
A study conducted in China, a major producer of electric vehicles, found that EVs were linked to more severe motion sickness than their gasoline counterparts. Atiah Chayne, a content creator from London, reported similar experiences of “extreme nausea” when using Uber vehicles that were electric, making it challenging for her to find non-EV transportation options.
John Golding, a professor of applied psychology, explains that motion sickness primarily affects passengers due to their inability to anticipate vehicle movements. The automotive industry is exploring ways to help passengers anticipate these changes, such as incorporating vibrations in seats to signal turns. Golding suggests various remedies, including sitting in the front seat, using motion sickness medication, and avoiding activities that worsen symptoms.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/13/extreme-nausea-are-evs-causing-car-sickness-and-what-can-be-done