Latest news with #WilliamEmond
New York Post
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- New York Post
Feel carsick in electric vehicles? The science behind the queasiness that can come with the ride
While electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular for drivers around the world, many are realizing that they can make you more carsick than conventional petrol cars. If you've found yourself questioning why you feel a little queasy behind the wheel of the future, don't worry. It's a real thing, and you're not the only one. According to multiple studies, there are very scientific reasons why a person may experience more motion sickness in an electric vehicle. Lack of previous experience Though EVs are becoming increasingly popular, most people's experiences with cars are based on combustion cars. 3 According to multiple studies, there are very scientific reasons why a person may experience more motion sickness in an electric vehicle. Parkin – If you've learnt how to drive in a conventional petrol car, you've likely adapted to their specific cues. According to a 2020 study published in Applied Ergonomics, the lack of a traditional engine sound could be an influencing factor to motion sickness. 'Being able to anticipate upcoming motion is known to potentially mitigate sickness resulting from provocative motion,' the 2020 study said. For example, upon pressing the accelerator pedal and hearing the rev of the engine, your brain will prepare you for the increase in speed. In an electric vehicle, drivers may experience a low hum or even no sound at all, making it harder for their brain to anticipate movement. 'If we are accustomed to traveling in non-EVs, we are used to understanding the car's motion based on signals such as engine revs, engine vibrations, torque, etc,' William Emond, a PhD student at the Université de Technologie de Belfort-Montbéliard in France, explained to The Guardian. 'Yet, traveling in an EV for the first time is a new motion environment for the brain, which needs adaptation.' Regenerative braking Similarly, EV's 'regenerative braking' is also a contributing factor to nausea in drivers. For those unaware, regenerative braking is a system where the vehicle's kinetic energy is generated automatically through the action of braking, and routed back into the battery as usable power. Regenerative braking can cause motion sickness for EV drivers, especially for those who have the EVs set for max regenerative braking, or for those using one-pedal mode, as the act of simply lifting off the accelerator would cause the car to slow down dramatically. 3 In an electric vehicle, drivers may experience a low hum or even no sound at all, making it harder for their brain to anticipate movement. Getty Images For drivers, it can feel like the car is slowing down when they haven't prepared for it, and throw off their balance. 'Better knowledge on self-motion allows us to anticipate motion forces, which is crucial for motion sickness,' Emond explained to The Guardian. 'Yet, when the motion forces as estimated or anticipated by the brain differ from what actually is experienced, then the brain interprets this 'neural mismatch' as a situation of conflict. Start your day with all you need to know Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters 'If this conflict persists over time, it may surpass a threshold for triggering autonomic reactions of the body such as symptoms apparent to 'motion sickness'.' For those considering purchasing some new wheels, Australia's car market is undergoing one of its biggest shake-ups in decades, with some experts calling it the most dramatic shift in automotive history. Australia has become a viable market for Chinese car manufacturers which has lead to aggressive local pricing, especially from brands such as BYD, Chery and GWM. 3 For drivers, it can feel like the car is slowing down when they haven't prepared for it, and throw off their balance. metamorworks – data services Director Ross Booth said much of the automotive growth is coming from electric and electrified vehicles. 'We're seeing a clear shift towards more fuel-efficient vehicles, with strong growth in New Energy Vehicles – which include hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery electric vehicles,' Mr Booth said. Hybrid and electric vehicle sales made up just 8 per cent of new cars in 2021, jumping to 25 per cent by the end of 2025.
Courier-Mail
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Courier-Mail
Science behind why you're feeling carsick in EVs
Don't miss out on the headlines from New Cars. Followed categories will be added to My News. While electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular for drivers around the world, many are realising that they can make you more carsick than conventional petrol cars. If you've found yourself questioning why you feel a little queasy behind the wheel of the future, don't worry. It's a real thing, and you're not the only one. According to multiple studies, there are very scientific reasons why a person may experience more motion sickness in an electric vehicle. Lack of previous experience Though EVs are becoming increasingly popular, most people's experiences with cars are based on combustion cars. If you've learnt how to drive in a conventional petrol car, you've likely adapted to their specific cues. According to a 2020 study published in Applied Ergonomics, the lack of a traditional engine sound could be an influencing factor to motion sickness. 'Being able to anticipate upcoming motion is known to potentially mitigate sickness resulting from provocative motion,' the 2020 study said. It's not uncommon to experience nausea in an EV. Picture: iStock For example, upon pressing the accelerator pedal and hearing the rev of the engine, your brain will prepare you for the increase in speed. In an electric vehicle, drivers may experience a low hum or even no sound at all, making it harder for their brain to anticipate movement. 'If we are accustomed to travelling in non-EVs, we are used to understanding the car's motion based on signals such as engine revs, engine vibrations, torque, etc,' William Emond, a PhD student at the Université de Technologie de Belfort-Montbéliard in France, explained to The Guardian. 'Yet, travelling in an EV for the first time is a new motion environment for the brain, which needs adaptation,' Regenerative braking Similarly, EV's 'regenerative braking' is also a contributing factor to nausea in drivers. For those unaware, regenerative braking is a system where the vehicle's kinetic energy is generated automatically through the action of braking, and routed back into the battery as usable power. Regenerative braking can cause EV drivers to feel motion sickness. Picture: iStock Regenerative braking can cause motion sickness for EV drivers, especially for those who have the EVs set for max regenerative braking, or for those using one-pedal mode, as the act of simply lifting off the accelerator would cause the car to slow down dramatically. For drivers, it can feel like the car is slowing down when they haven't prepared for it, and throw off their balance. 'Better knowledge on self-motion allows us to anticipate motion forces, which is crucial for motion sickness,' Emond explained to The Guardian. 'Yet, when the motion forces as estimated or anticipated by the brain differ from what actually is experienced, then the brain interprets this 'neural mismatch' as a situation of conflict. 'If this conflict persists over time, it may surpass a threshold for triggering autonomic reactions of the body such as symptoms apparent to 'motion sickness'.' A carrier vessel transporting EVs globally. Picture: AFP For those considering purchasing some new wheels, Australia's car market is undergoing one of its biggest shake-ups in decades, with some experts calling it the most dramatic shift in automotive history. Australia has become a viable market for Chinese car manufacturers which has lead to aggressive local pricing, especially from brands such as BYD, Chery and GWM. data services Director Ross Booth said much of the automotive growth is coming from electric and electrified vehicles. 'We're seeing a clear shift towards more fuel-efficient vehicles, with strong growth in New Energy Vehicles – which include hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery electric vehicles,' Mr Booth said. Hybrid and electric vehicle sales made up just 8 per cent of new cars in 2021, jumping to 25 per cent by the end of 2025. Originally published as Science reveals the truth of why you're feeling carsick in EVs
News.com.au
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Science reveals the truth of why you're feeling carsick in EVs
While electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular for drivers around the world, many are realising that they can make you more carsick than conventional petrol cars. If you've found yourself questioning why you feel a little queasy behind the wheel of the future, don't worry. It's a real thing, and you're not the only one. According to multiple studies, there are very scientific reasons why a person may experience more motion sickness in an electric vehicle. Lack of previous experience Though EVs are becoming increasingly popular, most people's experiences with cars are based on combustion cars. If you've learnt how to drive in a conventional petrol car, you've likely adapted to their specific cues. According to a 2020 study published in Applied Ergonomics, the lack of a traditional engine sound could be an influencing factor to motion sickness. 'Being able to anticipate upcoming motion is known to potentially mitigate sickness resulting from provocative motion,' the 2020 study said. For example, upon pressing the accelerator pedal and hearing the rev of the engine, your brain will prepare you for the increase in speed. In an electric vehicle, drivers may experience a low hum or even no sound at all, making it harder for their brain to anticipate movement. 'If we are accustomed to travelling in non-EVs, we are used to understanding the car's motion based on signals such as engine revs, engine vibrations, torque, etc,' William Emond, a PhD student at the Université de Technologie de Belfort-Montbéliard in France, explained to The Guardian. 'Yet, travelling in an EV for the first time is a new motion environment for the brain, which needs adaptation,' Regenerative braking Similarly, EV's 'regenerative braking' is also a contributing factor to nausea in drivers. For those unaware, regenerative braking is a system where the vehicle's kinetic energy is generated automatically through the action of braking, and routed back into the battery as usable power. Regenerative braking can cause motion sickness for EV drivers, especially for those who have the EVs set for max regenerative braking, or for those using one-pedal mode, as the act of simply lifting off the accelerator would cause the car to slow down dramatically. For drivers, it can feel like the car is slowing down when they haven't prepared for it, and throw off their balance. 'Better knowledge on self-motion allows us to anticipate motion forces, which is crucial for motion sickness,' Emond explained to The Guardian. 'Yet, when the motion forces as estimated or anticipated by the brain differ from what actually is experienced, then the brain interprets this 'neural mismatch' as a situation of conflict. 'If this conflict persists over time, it may surpass a threshold for triggering autonomic reactions of the body such as symptoms apparent to 'motion sickness'.' For those considering purchasing some new wheels, Australia's car market is undergoing one of its biggest shake-ups in decades, with some experts calling it the most dramatic shift in automotive history. Australia has become a viable market for Chinese car manufacturers which has lead to aggressive local pricing, especially from brands such as BYD, Chery and GWM. data services Director Ross Booth said much of the automotive growth is coming from electric and electrified vehicles. 'We're seeing a clear shift towards more fuel-efficient vehicles, with strong growth in New Energy Vehicles – which include hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery electric vehicles,' Mr Booth said. Hybrid and electric vehicle sales made up just 8 per cent of new cars in 2021, jumping to 25 per cent by the end of 2025.
Daily Mirror
28-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Scientists give mind-blowing explanation about people feeling car sick in EVs
Anticipating the movement of a vehicle is key to avoiding motion sickness, which is why drivers, who should always be able to see what is coming, are less likely to feel sick than passengers Researchers have provided an answer to a baffling phenomenon affecting swathes of electric vehicle (EV) drivers. Increasing numbers of motorists and passengers are experiencing motion sickness while travelling in EVs, sparking scientists to explore what's exactly making these zero-emission rides so stomach-churning. Social media is filled with anecdotes from passengers who have felt sick in the back seat of EVs, as well as questions from potential buyers put off by this potential puking problem. The scientific explanation is rooted in how our brains process motion cues. William Emond, a PhD student researching car sickness at the Université de Technologie de Belfort-Montbéliard in France, told the Guardian: "Greater sickness in EVs can be attributed to a lack of previous experience, as both a driver and as a passenger, where the brain lacks accuracy in estimating the motion forces because it relies on previous experience in other types of cars. "If we are accustomed to traveling in non-EVs, we are used to understanding the car's motion based on signals such as engine revs, engine vibrations, torque, etc. Yet, traveling in an EV for the first time is a new motion environment for the brain, which needs adaptation." So people who have spent most of their lives getting from A to B in internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles are far more accustomed to anticipating acceleration and deceleration based on engine noise and vibration, cues that are largely absent in EVs. Research supports the idea that specific features of electric vehicles contribute to motion sickness. For example, a 2024 study carried out by the University of Wisconsin—Madison found strong correlations between the severity of motion sickness and the seat vibrations in electric vehicles. While research from 2020 published in ScienceDirect pointed to the lack of engine sound as a major factor causing people in EVs to feel car sick. The absence of these familiar cues leads to a sensory mismatch, where the signals from the eyes, inner ear and body don't align with what the brain is expecting. This is a well-known cause of motion sickness. Another factor is regenerative braking, a technology common in EVS that converts the car's kinetic energy into electricity during deceleration. This process results in low-frequency deceleration, meaning the vehicle slows down gradually and steadily rather than in quick pulses. Studies have shown that this type of braking is also linked to higher levels of motion sickness. A 2024 study published in the International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction concluded: "Our results confirmed that higher levels of RB [regenerative braking] can induce MS [motion sickness]." Anticipating the movement of a vehicle is key to avoiding motion sickness, which is why drivers, who should always be able to see what is coming, are less likely to feel sick than passengers. The lack of familiar cues in EVs means passengers, especially those in the back seat, are more likely to feel car sick. With EV ownership on the rise, researchers are exploring solutions to this 'sickening' situation. Some suggest that using visual signals, such as interactive screens and ambient lighting, as well as vibrational cues, could help passengers anticipate motion changes and reduce the likelihood of feeling sick in EVS.
NZ Autocar
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
Passengers seem more prone to motion sickness in EVs
Electric vehicles now account for almost one in four new car sales globally but an unanticipated side effect is emerging, that of increased motion sickness. According to the Guardian, EV passengers, especially those in the back seat, more often report feeling nauseous. An explanation lies in the brain's response to motion cues. William Emond, a PhD student studying car sickness in France, suggests that the cause is occupant unfamiliarity. Most people understand that engine sounds and vibrations in ICE power vehicles are associated with specific motion changes, like acceleration or deceleration. These help the brain prepare for movement, reducing the likelihood of motion sickness. Electric cars, however, operate almost silently. Therefore, they lack the mechanical feedback of vehicles powered by fossil fuels. Without engine revs or vibrations, passengers receive fewer auditory or tactile warnings of motion changes. There is therefore a disconnect between what the brain expects and what the body experiences, known as sensory mismatch. This mismatch is a well-known cause of motion sickness. For it creates confusion between the signals coming from the eyes, inner ear, and body. Not all back seat passengers prefer ICE power. Several reports corroborate this association. A 2020 study highlighted the absence of engine sound as a potential trigger of motion sickness. A study published last year found a strong link between motion sickness and fewer seat vibrations in electric vehicles. Another key factor is regenerative braking, a common feature in EVs. This system slows the car gradually by prolonged, low-frequency deceleration. Such slowing has been associated with heightened motion sickness, likely because it disrupts the brain's expectations about how and when the vehicle should slow down. Emond explains that the brain builds a 'motion model' based on experience, allowing it to anticipate how a vehicle will behave. When driving a familiar petrol car, people can rely on engine noise, vibration, and torque to predict movement. By contrast, EVs represent a new motion environment, one in which the brain has no prior model to work from. The lack of anticipatory cues results in a sensory conflict that can trigger nausea if it continues for an extended period. As EV adoption increases, researchers are exploring ways to address this unique form of motion sickness. Some studies have proposed using visual or vibrational signals in EVs to help passengers anticipate changes in motion. Ambient lighting or seat vibrations could provide the brain with the information it needs to avoid the sensory mismatch that causes illness. Motion sickness may remain an unintended consequence of the transition to cleaner transport until working solutions are found.
