Electromagnetic Protection in Electromobility

As is the case wherever electric currents flow, magnetic fields also occur in electrically powered vehicles. The extent to which occupants are exposed to magnetic fields in the car can vary on a case-by-case basis depending on the technology used and the position of components relative to the body, as well as personal driving style. In the case of electric vehicles, magnetic fields arise primarily during operation and charging.

In previous studies, the strongest fields were mainly found in the footwell of the front seats. When some vehicles are started, strong fields are also generated for a short period of time. Combustion vehicles can expose people to magnetic fields to a similar extent as hybrid or electric vehicles.

What fields occur in vehicles?

Electrically powered vehicles generate static, low- and intermediate-frequency electric and magnetic fields. The frequencies of these fields range from zero hertz (Hz/static fields) to several tens or hundreds of kilohertz (kHz/low-frequency fields and fields in the “intermediate” frequency range). In terms of radiation protection, the magnetic fields emitted by the sources below are among those with particular relevance to electric cars:

• the electrical drive train, cables and associated electronics
• the vehicle battery
• the charging device and charging cable.

Regardless of the propulsion system, there are also other sources of magnetic fields in modern vehicles. Occupants can therefore also be exposed to magnetic fields in a vehicle with an internal combustion engine. Here, relevant sources of magnetic fields include, for example:

• air conditioning systems
• fans
• heated seats
• window winders
• the vehicle activation system or starter.

Other sources include assistance, comfort and entertainment systems that use high-frequency electromagnetic fields for the detection of objects (radar) or that transmit information wirelessly by radio. For more information on high-frequency electromagnetic fields, please refer to our overview article “What are high-frequency electromagnetic fields?”.

Scientifically proven effects of magnetic fields

Low- and intermediate-frequency magnetic fields penetrate the body almost unhindered and can produce electric fields and currents within it. In turn, these fields and currents can lead to stimuli and stimulation effects in nerve and muscle tissues.

To prevent these scientifically proven effects from occurring, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has developed guidelines setting out the maximum level of human exposure to such fields. In addition to the strength and distribution of magnetic fields, the guidelines also take into account the extent of electric fields generated inside the body. If the fields induced inside the body by the magnetic fields do not exceed the maximum values proposed by ICNIRP, no health-relevant effects are to be expected.

Further research is underway into whether, in addition to the scientifically proven effects of magnetic fields, there may also be other effects that are yet to be discovered.

Occurrence of magnetic fields in electromobility

A new BfS study from 2025 sheds light on the extent to which vehicle occupants are exposed to the magnetic fields of electric cars. According to the BfS, this is the most detailed study on the topic to date.

The study analysed models of electric cars that are particularly popular in terms of registration figures, as well as high-performance electric car models from various manufacturers. To this end, magnetic field measurements were carried out at various points inside the vehicles. These measurements were taken under real-world conditions as well as on test tracks and dynamometers. On the test tracks and dynamometers, the vehicles were operated in defined states of acceleration, braking, and travel at constant speed. Measurements were taken at positions inside and outside the vehicles while the electric cars were charging, and both normal and fast charging points were considered. Vehicle manufacturers were not involved in the study.

The four key findings regarding the occurrence of magnetic fields in electric cars are as follows:

• The magnetic fields in electric cars are spatially very uneven. High values were mainly identified in the leg area. On the other hand, the head and upper body of vehicle occupants are less exposed to magnetic fields.
• The strength of the magnetic fields changes depending on driving style. Higher values are produced during acceleration and braking than when driving at a steady speed.
• The maximum motor power of electric cars is not the only factor that determines the extent to which people are exposed to magnetic fields in the vehicle.
• Both during driving and when the vehicle is stationary, occupants may be exposed to magnetic fields that do not originate directly from the drive train but rather from other sources or functions.

The extent to which people are exposed to magnetic fields in electrically powered vehicles therefore depends less on the electrical power of the electric motors and more on the operating condition, the technical design of the vehicles (position of battery, cables, power electronics, etc.), and individual driving style.

Maximum values protect health

As well as where and in which situations magnetic fields occur in electric cars, there is another key question from a radiation protection perspective: are occupants exposed to magnetic fields in electrically powered vehicles to such an extent that these fields can have undesirable or health-relevant effects in humans?

The BfS study from 2025 provides clear answers with regard to the analysed vehicles: first, the magnetic field strengths measured in the vehicles were compared with reference levels set out in an EU recommendation from 1999 (Council Recommendation of 12 July 1999 on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300 gigahertz)). In some cases, these reference levels were exceeded. A spatially localised exceedance of the reference values over small parts of the body does not necessarily result in dangerously strong electric fields or currents within the body.

Detailed computer simulations were therefore used to determine the electric currents or fields generated by the magnetic fields in body replicas in the situations that were particularly relevant from a radiation protection perspective. In all cases, the maximum levels recommended for the protection of health were not exceeded. These maximum values limit the electric currents and fields that can be caused by magnetic fields in the human body to a harmless level. The study measured and evaluated the magnetic fields present at the seats in 14 different car models manufactured in the years 2019 to 2021 in different operating states.

Specifically, the results of the BfS study from 2025 reveal that:

• All of the analysed electric cars complied with the recommendations for protection against the health effects of magnetic fields.
• In principle, people are not exposed to stronger magnetic fields in all-electric cars than in vehicles with conventional or hybrid propulsion.
• In the case of a moderate driving style, the measured values usually represent only a low double-digit percentage of the reference levels.
• A sporty driving style led to measurements exceeding the EU’s recommended reference levels in several electric vehicles and in a vehicle with an internal combustion engine that was analysed for the purposes of comparison. Despite the fact that these measurements exceeded the reference levels in the short term, the study did not identify any values that exceeded the recommended maximum values for electric fields induced in the body.
• With one exception, the reference levels were briefly exceeded in all vehicles at the moment when they were started – even in the vehicle with a combustion engine.

BfS recommendations

The number of electric vehicles is expected to continue rising in the coming years. Accordingly, appropriate account must also be taken of aspects of radiation protection in electromobility.

For fundamental reasons of radiation protection, consumers should be exposed to as little radiation as possible from products, including vehicles. Although the BfS’s 2025 study did not identify any values in excess of the maximum levels recommended for health protection, there was a considerable range of values between the analysed vehicles. It is up to manufacturers to reduce local peak values and keep average values low through intelligent vehicle design, so that even a combined exposure from several sources does not lead to values that exceed recommended maximum levels. To this end, consideration should be given to the positioning of the relevant components of electrically powered vehicles at the design stage. The BfS research project “Determination of exposure to electromagnetic fields in electromobility” shows that this is technically possible in motor vehicles. Considerable differences appear simply due to the positioning of relevant components.

In addition, the BfS sees a need for further development of the standards and regulations. Current assessment methods do not cover all of the relevant or unfavourable cases. People with active physical aids (pacemakers, neurostimulators, etc.) should also ask the doctor treating them whether magnetic fields can affect the operation of the medical product they are using.

State of 2025.08.21