Alarmingly high EMFs measured in electric cars in German government study
Microwave News writes that a groundbreaking study from Germany’s Federal Office for Radiation Protection has sent shockwaves through the EV industry by highlighting critical electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure risks. The report, which is based on nearly one million measurements taken from 13 EV and hybrid models, reveals that magnetic fields are “astonishingly high,” especially during acceleration and braking.
Peak fields in some vehicles exceeded European safety limits by up to 12 times, particularly under “sporty” driving conditions. These transient pulses, often overlooked by current compliance protocols, primarily originate from the vehicle’s drive train and pose a fundamental problem in EVs. Gernot Schmid, the study’s leader, emphasized that these spikes are “routinely missed” by standard testing protocols, which exclude transients shorter than 200 milliseconds.
The BfS report, corroborated by experts such as Dirk Geschwentner, calls for immediate design changes to mitigate EMF hotspots, especially in areas with high exposure, such as the feet and lower legs. While the study acknowledges that average exposures are within limits, the transient peaks—linked to health concerns in decades-old research—represent a significant oversight.
This underscores the need for consumer awareness and proactive solutions. As the EV market grows, prioritizing EMF reduction in vehicle design becomes increasingly important. For individuals concerned about exposure, selecting low-EMF technology is paramount.
The cars that were tested:
- Renault Zoe
- Tesla Model 3
- BMW i3
- Volkswagen ID.3
- Audi e-tron quattro
- Peugeot e-208
- Porsche Taycan
- Aiways U5
- Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Fiat 500e
- Opel Corsa Electric
- Volkswagen Passat PHEV
- Mercedes GLE 350 de PHEV
Sources and further reading
- Microwave News – Wake-Up Call for EV Industry: “Astonishingly High” Magnetic Fields
- BfS Study – Bestimmung von Expositionen gegenüber elektromagnetischen Feldern der Elektromobilität (in German)
- BfS’ press release in English.
- How much EMF is too much? Electromagnetic radiation exposure limits, ICNIRP versus SBM
