Are EVs Actually Worse For Those Who Suffer From Car Sickness?
Electric vehicles continue to expand across the United States, offering smooth acceleration, quiet cabins, and efficient energy use. Still, a surprising number of riders say they feel more motion sickness in an EV than in a gasoline vehicle.
For people who already struggle with nausea on long drives, this raises an uncomfortable question: do EVs make the problem worse? Understanding why some passengers react differently requires a closer look at the sensory system and the unique driving characteristics of EVs. Because EVs behave differently from traditional cars, the brain may receive fewer cues that normally help prevent discomfort, leading to stronger reactions in sensitive passengers.
How Motion Sickness Works In Everyday Driving
Motion sickness begins when the brain receives conflicting messages about movement from the eyes, the inner ear, and the body. If the inner ear senses motion but the eyes do not detect matching movement—such as when a passenger looks down at a screen—the brain interprets the conflict as a disturbance. Nausea and dizziness often follow. This sensory mismatch is widely accepted as the key driver of motion sickness.
Traditional gas-powered cars provide strong sensory signals. Engine noise, vibrations, shifting gears, and predictable acceleration all act as cues that help the brain understand what is happening. These cues prepare the body for changes in speed and direction. The more complete the information, the less likely the brain is to misinterpret the movement. In many cases, these signals help stabilize a passenger’s perception of motion and reduce discomfort, especially during long trips or stop-and-go traffic.
What Makes EVs Feel Different To The Body
EVs remove many of the cues that help passengers interpret movement. Because electric motors run quietly and smoothly, passengers hear and feel far less noise than in a combustion vehicle. For people who rely heavily on sound and vibration to track motion, this absence can increase the chance of sensory conflict. EVs also deliver immediate torque, meaning they can accelerate faster and more smoothly than gas vehicles. For riders unprepared for quick, silent acceleration, this can amplify discomfort.
Regenerative braking is another major difference. Instead of slowing down primarily through friction brakes, EVs decelerate by converting kinetic energy back into electrical energy. A peer-reviewed study from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology found that stronger regenerative-braking levels significantly increased motion-sickness symptoms in participants who were prone to nausea. This research shows that the pattern of deceleration, not just the quiet cabin, can directly influence discomfort.
What Verified Research Shows About EV-Related Motion Sickness
A 2025 comparative study published on arXiv analyzed survey responses from 639 participants who had ridden in both EVs and fuel-powered vehicles. The researchers found that motion sickness occurred less frequently in EVs, but the symptoms were significantly more severe when it did occur.
The study also suggested that passengers in the back seat experience more discomfort than front-seat riders because they see less of the road and cannot anticipate movement as effectively. While the study did not claim that all EVs cause stronger motion sickness, it confirmed that EV-specific motion patterns can affect people with pre-existing sensitivity.
