Requests occupant-specific EV field measurements and long-term research, emphasizing children, frequent d…

Electric vehicles (EVs) are replacing conventional cars worldwide, exposing a growing number of occupants daily to complex electromagnetic fields generated by high voltage batteries, cables, and motors. Some magnetic field levels measured inside EVs, particularly near the floor, footwell, and rear seats, overlap with exposure levels associated with adverse health outcomes in residential, occupational, and laboratory studies.

Health protection efforts may need to focus on certain groups, including children, who often sit in the rear seats where field levels can be highest, and professional drivers and regular commuters, who are exposed repeatedly over time. Existing exposure guidelines (ICNIRP, IEEE) primarily address established short term effects (e.g., nerve stimulation) and offer limited guidance for interpreting the complex, variable exposure conditions unique to EVs or their potential long-term impacts, highlighting the need for refinement as EV-specific research accumulates. Federal guidance would benefit from adopting standardized, occupant-specific exposure assessments (e.g., following IEC 62764-1), studying frequent EV occupants, and giving closer attention to vulnerable groups such as children to support ongoing evaluations of safety standards.