German BfS: ‘Radiation levels in electric cars are harmless’

In a radiation protection study commissioned by the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV), all electric cars analyzed complied with the recommendations for protection against the health effects of magnetic fields.

According to the researchers, people are not generally exposed to stronger magnetic fields in battery-electric cars than in combustion vehicles.

‘No health-related effects’

Fourteen vehicles were analyzed. Eleven purely electrically powered cars, two hybrid vehicles, and one combustion engine from the 2019 to 2021 model years were measured and evaluated in different operating states.

“Comparatively strong magnetic fields were detected in some cases – locally and for a limited time. However, no health-relevant effects are to be expected,” emphasizes BfS President Inge Paulini. “The study results are good news for consumers who drive an electric car or are considering switching.”

Magnetic fields

The study was conducted by a project team of employees from Seibersdorf Labor GmbH, the Research Center for Electromagnetic Environmental Compatibility at RWTH Aachen University, and the ADAC Technology Center. Car manufacturers were not involved in the study.

A word of explanation about the background of the subject: magnetic fields always occur when electric currents flow. There are many sources of magnetic fields in modern vehicles. These include, for example, air conditioning systems, fans, electric windows, and seat heaters.

Main sources

In the case of electric vehicles, the main sources are a larger and more powerful battery, the high-voltage cabling, the inverter for the drive current, and the electric drive itself.

According to the study organizers, the measurements and simulations showed that the recommended maximum values for fields generated in the body were adhered to in all recorded scenarios. However, the measured magnetic field values varied significantly between the vehicles analyzed.

Driving style has an impact

The strongest magnetic fields occurred primarily in the foot area in front of the seats, while the magnetic fields in the head and torso area were mostly low.

According to the analysts, the driving style has more impact than the power of the motor: “A sporty driving style with strong acceleration and braking briefly produced significantly stronger magnetic fields than a moderate driving style.”