Whether you like EVs or not, one thing that’s not really up for dispute is the quiet, effortless ride electric vehicles deliver. Absent the mechanical chatter, gear shifts and vibrations of traditional internal combustion engines, EV offerings – especially higher-end ones - promise an almost floating sensation on the road. But how is it then that we hear increasing chatter about their occupants, particularly passengers, getting nauseous in them?
Since we at Auto123 started driving EVs, we have been sharing amongst ourselves complaints received from family members and friends who have come down with motion sickness. Didn’t matter the make or the model, the nausea came. Even as drivers, we sometimes found ourselves getting that ‘car sick’ feeling.
Out in the wider world, as EVs have become more commonplace, it's become clear it wasn’t just us. Reports from commuters and families highlight a frustrating pattern, with passengers experiencing sudden nausea, dizziness and cold sweats during trips in electric cars. Often the symptoms came on short trips, which in the past resulted in no such symptoms. So what’s going on? Because while EV drivers often report complete satisfaction with their vehicles, those sitting in the passenger and rear seats are increasingly finding the experience less pleasant.
Regenerative braking
Our first instinct was to blame regenerative braking, whereby braking is applied as soon as the driver decreases foot pressure on the accelerator. Certainly, it takes a while and some discipline to master not having the vehicle slow down too jerkily. The driver, while not spared the effects, is less likely to feel sick because they are making the movements controlling the vehicle and so their body has a few more micro-seconds to adjust in anticipation. Not so passengers.
Sensory conflict
That said, early evidence suggests it’s not just that feature causing the epidemic of motion sickness, reported the BBC this week. At its core, the phenomenon of ‘car sickness’ stems from a sensory mismatch. Human balance relies on a delicate harmony between visual cues, inner-ear balance mechanisms, and bodily spatial awareness. When one sensory input conflicts with another, the brain struggles to process the movement.
In traditional gas-engine cars, subtle engine revs and physical transmission vibrations provide implicit, auditory and physical cues that allow passengers to unconsciously anticipate acceleration and braking. The near-silent operation of an EV removes those natural warning signals. As a result, when an electric vehicle surges forward, passengers are caught off guard, experiencing physical movement that their visual and auditory senses failed to predict.
Mechanical factors inherent to EV design further compound the issue. Most notably, electric motors deliver instant torque, producing rapid acceleration that can outpace a passenger’s physical expectations.
Although researchers note that comprehensive studies remain in their early stages and individual susceptibility varies based on age and genetics, the automotive industry is taking notice. Certain manufacturers have publicly acknowledged that these symptoms stem directly from electric powertrain engineering, prompting efforts to refine ride dynamics.
Automakers are exploring software solutions to smooth out power delivery, adaptive regenerative braking setups that lessen sudden deceleration, and artificial auditory or tactile feedback to signal impending movement to passengers. Many current models already allow drivers to adjust or turn down regenerative braking settings to create a more conventional coasting feel.
A few tips
For passengers prone to EV-related nausea, experts recommend sitting in the front seat, looking straight ahead at the horizon rather than at a smartphone or book, resting the head firmly against the headrest, and opening a window for fresh air. Adopting a gentler, more progressive driving style can also dramatically ease the physical toll on those along for the ride.