As an affiliate, I may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.
Tesla cars might be a great advancement in the direction of green energy, but are they as good as they seem? I began thinking about the problem of EMF from Tesla cars. Here’s a summary of what I found:
Tesla cars are either hybrid or fully electric, and so will emit EMF radiation. They contain more technology than standard cars, such as Wi-Fi, meaning their levels of EMF radiation will be higher. Considering you’re in close proximity to the car, this might become a problem.
In this article, I’ll look at the sources of EMF radiation in a Tesla car and whether this is something to be concerned about.
Also read: EMF Radiation from Electric and Hybrid Cars
What are the Sources of EMF Radiation in Tesla Cars?
Tesla cars are so well known because they really commercialized electric vehicle technology. What’s more, they sportier models, and contain much more advanced technology.
All of this technology means one thing: plenty of EMF radiation. The biggest sources are:
- The battery
- The engine
- The on-board computer
- Built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
- Parking sensors and other driver assistance
In short, almost everything about the car is a potential problem. Inside an electric car you’ll find 2 types of EMF radiation:
- Extremely low frequency (ELF). This comes from the battery, and is the same radiation emitted by electric pylons.
- Radio frequency (RF). This is typically Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, among others.
Overexposure to these types of EMF radiation can lead to health complications, particularly if you’re in close proximity to them. What’s more, Tesla cars (and all electric vehicles for that matter) have 2 main issues. These are:
The battery
A Tesla car requires a massive lithium-ion battery, which is the same tech used in your phone just on a bigger scale.
Often, the battery will sit in the car’s trunk and supply energy to power the engine. This battery produces ELF radiation and a magnetic field when it’s in use.
Also, you have no choice but to be in close proximity to the battery when you’re driving.
Combine this with the power convertor, electric motor, and all other electric components, and you’ve got a lot of EMF radiation going on.
The car frame
Cars are made of metal; this isn’t a secret. But what you might not have considered is that this can act like a large Faraday cage.
A Faraday cage is basically a metal box designed to stop EMF radiation escaping. The metal frame blocks it from getting out or coming in, depending on the source.
While a car’s frame will allow some EMF radiation to escape, the rest that doesn’t gets trapped inside and magnified.
In short, this means you’re sitting on the wrong side of a Faraday cage when you’re in your Tesla car.
Of course, this isn’t the best news if you own a Tesla car, but it’s a phenomenon observed in all kinds of vehicles, including planes.
Is EMF from Tesla Cars Dangerous?
So although Tesla cars might sound like a moving EMF radiation source, the real question is whether these levels are dangerous.
The real answer is that we just don’t know yet. Electric cars in their current form haven’t been about that long, and research is lacking.
What we do know, however, is that a recent study found EMF exposure contributed to drivers falling asleep at the wheel faster.
Also, we know the standard symptoms of EMF exposure that people experience in their everyday lives. These include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Depression and anxiety
- Itchy skin
- Irritability
- Sleep problems
- Headaches
These will only become worse when sat in a car because of your close proximity to all those sources of EMF radiation.
It’s fair to say that the sources of EMF radiation found in a Tesla car aren’t necessarily more dangerous than others in your everyday life.
However, if you use your car a lot then you risk being exposed to them for long periods of time. This is where the real danger can come from.
How to Reduce Exposure from Tesla Cars
Of course, you can’t completely remove the issue of EMF radiation exposure in an electric car. But considering normal cars still give off EMF radiation, in addition to harmful emissions, an electric car is a better option in my opinion.
Therefore, the best thing to do is to reduce the sources of EMF radiation inside your Tesla car. Here are my top tips.
1. Minimize RF devices inside the car
It’s easier said than done, but reduce the number of RF capable devices you have in the car. The most obvious will be your phone, but anything with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi should be turned off or disabled.
It’s best to put your phone on airplane mode when driving because this’ll minimize EMF radiation and it’ll mean you’re not distracted while driving.
2. Turn off the vehicle’s computer
Not all models will have this option, but turn off your on-board computer if it’s possible.
Doing so will reduce the level of EMF inside the car, especially if the computer controls a media system and connects to your phone. Of course, the easiest way to test this is with an EMF meter (Amazon link).
3. Don’t use your phone inside the car
While this is similar to the first point, it’s different enough. If you need to use your phone, it’s best to physically get out of the car rather than remaining inside.
Not only will this mean your reception is slightly better but it’ll also reduce the impact of your car acting as a Faraday cage.
Some Final Thoughts
It shouldn’t surprise you that Tesla cars produce EMF radiation seeing as they’re electric cars. Hopefully my guide has given you some useful information on whether this is really an issue and what to do about it.
Considering electric vehicles are the way forwards, it’s worth thinking about the ways to mitigate exposure to EMF radiation when using them. The best advice I can give is to limit your exposure elsewhere in your life, as there’s not loads you can do about it inside an electric car.
Also read: EMF Radiation from Heated Seats in Car