What happened
Some passengers in electric vehicles (EVs) have reported experiencing motion sickness, with symptoms including nausea and vomiting. Researchers suggest that the lack of auditory cues and vibrations from the engine, as well as regenerative braking, may contribute to this issue. EV drivers, on the other hand, often report a positive driving experience.
Experts say that motion sickness is caused by a mismatch in sensory cues, and that humans have adapted to associate sound with movement in vehicles. The smooth and quiet ride of EVs may disrupt this association, leading to motion sickness in some individuals.
Several factors may contribute to motion sickness in EVs, including regenerative braking, rapid acceleration, and deceleration. Some passengers have reported that the constant stopping and starting of EVs in busy cities can exacerbate the problem.
Academics recommend several steps to reduce feelings of motion sickness, including looking out the front window, sitting in the front passenger seat, and keeping the head still. They also suggest that carmakers can alleviate motion sickness by smoothing out rapid acceleration, adding sound systems, and offering adaptive regenerative braking.