Science & Tech · Gadgets & EVs · 8 hrs ago
Some passengers report worse motion sickness in electric cars
Some passengers in England say they feel more sick on car journeys in electric vehicles than they did in petrol cars.
Lola Baird says she began feeling nauseous on long trips after her boyfriend bought an electric car, and a father says his nine-year-old daughter now feels ill on shorter journeys.
Other electric-car owners say they have no such problem, and some report feeling less sick than in traditional cars.
A drivers’ association in England says motion sickness has not been a concern among its members.
Researchers say early studies suggest some people may experience worse motion sickness in electric vehicles, but the evidence is still limited.
Doctors have also heard patients describe the same problem, but experts say there have not been enough broad studies to establish a definite link.
More research is needed to determine whether electric cars make some passengers more prone to motion sickness.
Some passengers say they feel more motion sickness in electric cars than in traditional cars.
Lola Baird says she began feeling nauseated on long car journeys after her boyfriend bought an electric car two years ago.
Mark Quigg says his nine-year-old daughter’s sickness worsened after he bought an electric car.
Researchers say evidence linking electric cars to worse motion sickness is still limited.
Other passengers and electric-car drivers say they feel no worse, or feel less sick, in electric cars.
- Who
- Some passengers, including Lola Baird and Mark Quigg’s daughter, report worse motion sickness in electric cars.
- What
- They say they experience increased nausea or vomiting as passengers in electric cars.
- When
- Reports began after the passengers’ families acquired electric cars; the article was published on 12 October 2026.
- Where
- The accounts include journeys in England. Researchers and a doctor cited are based in the UK and the United States.
- Why
- A definite cause is not established, and research into a possible link is at an early stage.
Passengers reporting worse sickness
Researchers and drivers who say the evidence or concern is limited
Experience
Passengers reporting worse sickness
Some passengers say they feel more nauseated in electric cars, sometimes even on short trips.
Researchers and drivers who say the evidence or concern is limited
Some drivers and passengers say electric cars do not make them feel sick, or make them feel less sick.
Evidence
Passengers reporting worse sickness
Some researchers and a neurologist say they have encountered reports of worse motion sickness in electric cars.
Researchers and drivers who say the evidence or concern is limited
Bill Yates says the research is still superficial and that there have not been many serious, broad studies.
Lola Baird’s boyfriend bought an electric car, after which she began feeling very nauseated on long journeys.
Mark Quigg considered options for a new car and chose an electric vehicle, citing lower maintenance costs.
Quigg says his daughter began feeling sick even on a 30-minute trip to the nearest town.
Folha published an article examining reports of worse motion sickness among some electric-car passengers.
- Lola Baird
- 24 years old; began reporting motion sickness after her boyfriend bought an electric car two years ago
- Mark Quigg
- 45 years old; lives in Lincolnshire, England
- Quigg’s daughter
- 9 years old; reportedly felt sick on a 30-minute trip
- Nicholas Hac
- Neurologist at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, United States
- Irene Di Giulio
- Senior lecturer in anatomy and biomechanics at King’s College London
- Article publication
- 12 October 2026
What people are saying
They simply notice that they are much more likely to feel sick in electric vehicles.
There is some anecdotal information, but there have not yet been many serious and comprehensive studies.
This has never come up as a problem.
a relevant question and not your imagination











