Smart Cars and EMF Radiation

In the last few decades, auto engineers have made huge strides in creating cars that not only get you from place to place - but also access the internet, make phone calls, or even drive themselves on the way there. These “smart” cars may seem fascinating from the outside, but they present a significant health risk that cannot be ignored.

Though a Bluetooth-enabled self-driving car looks great in a showroom, it emits more EMF radiation than other vehicles. EMF radiation can lead to worsened sleep, fatigue, and chronic pain - so if your car is state-of-the-art technology, you should protect yourself from its side effects. In this guide, we’ll break down what EMF radiation is, how your car might create it, and how to stay healthy.

EMF stands for electric and magnetic fields. These invisible energy fields typically come from electrical power and natural and human-made lighting. The electromagnetic spectrum has two frequencies: low-frequency and high-frequency.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has stated that low-frequency EMFs, or non-ionizing waves, are harmless to humans. However, you may experience exposure to non-ionizing EMF radiation when you are around power lines or use a radio, TV, cell phone, WiFi, or microwave.

High-frequency EMFs, called ionizing radiation, damage cells and DNA, especially with prolonged exposure. You might be exposed to this type of EMF radiation if you use a tanning bed or receive an X-ray. Noted side effects include fatigue, disrupted sleep, and potential chronic health conditions like migraine. Due to the adverse and harmful effects of EMF radiation, many people choose to utilize EMF protection in their daily lives.

Ionizing radiation isn’t always harmful. It has several beneficial uses in health care, agriculture, and research. However, because EMF radiation of all types can be potentially harmful, many people look for EMF protection.

A smart car or smart vehicle uses increasingly sophisticated modern technology to achieve superior results for the driver and their passengers. While most people will consider self-driving cars the only intelligent vehicle, this is not the case. Other smart vehicles include electric cars, wifi-capable vehicles, cars with Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and much more.

Many vehicles use sensors and other technological advancements to be nearly autonomous driving machines. Some of the most popular almost self-driving cars are:

• Tesla Model S
• Genesis G90
• Ford F-150
• BMW X5
• Volvo V90 Cross Country

Many conventional vehicles have some self-driving features like parking assistance. While these cars are more intelligent than the cars of yesteryear, they are less advanced than the previously mentioned vehicles. For example, at least for the 2023 version, the Tesla Model S comes standard with autopilot features that warn of lane departures, keep you in your lane, and help maintain distance between your car and another while driving. These cars can do these things because of cameras, lasers, and radar equipment.

 Image Source: Pixabay

The most well-known autonomous cars are Teslas. However, this does not mean that all self-driving cars are electric. One such example of a gas-powered self-driving vehicle is the 2024 Audi A8. This vehicle has automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warnings, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control, all while having a gas engine.

While not all self-driving cars use electric engines, many do because 70% of American car buyers say fuel economy is critical when purchasing their next vehicle. Car manufacturers know this and have started looking for ways to improve their fuel efficiency. Furthermore, there is a call for increased investment in electrified vehicles in the United States, with more federal funding for EV chargers and EV tax credits.

5G is the newest wireless standard, a 5th-generation mobile network. The 5G technology allows for higher data speeds, lower transmission times, better reliability, and better network capacity.

5G technology might seem like an add-on needed primarily for infotainment options like keeping the kids entertained by allowing them to watch streaming episodes of Bluey. However, 5G has some practical applications, especially as consumers, manufacturers, and government entities become increasingly interested in fully autonomous vehicles. 5G is helpful for fully self-driving cars because it can:

• Provide faster data transmission speeds to make cars more reactive to real-time data.
• Allow cars to communicate with infrastructure, other vehicles, and pedestrians for safer roads.
• Create instant HD maps for improved awareness of road conditions
• Receive and transmit instant traffic and weather data to help more vehicles and drivers understand real-time road conditions

 As mentioned earlier, WiFi and cell phones emit EMF radiation. While many organizations believe that EMF radiation from these devices is mostly harmless, they also state that more research is needed to fully understand its effects on humans. Cell phone companies tell users to hold their phones a certain distance from their heads and avoid prolonged contact with their bodies due to their radiofrequency (RF).

Another form of wireless technology that allows electronic devices to connect is Bluetooth. Most modern vehicles have Bluetooth technology, enabling drivers to make calls, receive map alerts, and send text messages using their voice.

Bluetooth is a short-range frequency technology that operates on radio frequencies in the 2.4 GHz range, which is on the higher end of the non-ionizing radiation spectrum, between TV broadcasts and microwave and satellite signals.

While there is no conclusive evidence that long-term exposure to EMF radiation from Bluetooth is harmful, many health sources believe limiting exposure should be considered. Many school districts in the United States and other countries are trying to reduce children's exposure to EMF radiation. In France, WiFi is banned from nursery schools. So, there is some concern about exposure to these signals.

Image Source: Pexels

Due to an increasing focus on protecting the environment and constantly fluctuating gas prices, Tesla has become an increasingly popular car for many households. As of 2024, Tesla has sold over 2.3 million vehicles worldwide.  

For all EV types, in 2022, over 6% of all cars sold in the United States were electric vehicles, equating to approximately 835,700 vehicles, most of which were Teslas. With so many people driving electric cars, knowing how much EMF radiation a Tesla emits is vital. A Tesla Model 3 emits up to over 50 mGs of EMF radiation. This is approximately the same amount as a high-voltage powerline. Of course, the amount you’re exposed to depends entirely on where you’re sitting in the Tesla.

Electric vehicles, like all electric and magnetic devices, emit EMF radiation. However, it is essential to remember that so do gas-powered cars. Unfortunately, electric cars have higher EMF radiation levels. One reason is that they have large batteries close to where people sit. This can expose electric vehicle drivers and riders to more EMF radiation.

 Another way that electric cars emit EMF radiation is during charging periods. When the power is converted to be usable by the electric vehicle, it can often cause high-voltage spikes with a much higher level of EMF radiation than when the car is driving. If you’re concerned about EMF radiation, avoid sitting in the car when it is charging. Furthermore, many devices can help limit your exposure to EMF radiation while riding in the vehicle.

Yes, self-driving cars will emit EMF radiation. They rely on more advanced technology than old-fashioned vehicles; therefore, more devices produce EMF radiation within the car. This includes sensors, radar, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), GPS, onboard computers, and communication systems, all of which use electricity and can generate EMF radiation. Because self-driving cars require more technology to stay safe and functional, they emit more EMF as well.

Our modern society relies on electronic devices, from smartphones and laptop computers to autonomous vehicles and electric-powered cars. While all these modern gadgets simplify our lives, it's still unclear if the EMF radiation these devices emit is safe, especially at the levels people are exposed to with so many electronic devices.

Since all vehicles, especially EVs, emit EMF radiation, it may seem as though you’re destined to be exposed to the radiation whenever you’re driving in your vehicle. However, you don’t have to ditch your Tesla or try to tote your entire family on bicycles. You can take some steps to protect yourself from EMF radiation when riding in a modern vehicle. There are many devices that can protect your family from EMF. 

These EMF protection devices have antennas that diffract the EMF radiation and the energy levels of the EMF to create a holographic canceling coherent electromagnetic wave. The wave basically cancels or reverses the energy wave from the source of the EMF. What’s great about these products is that they still allow electronic devices to work, unlike some other technology. So you protect yourself from the radiation while still being allowed to live a modern life with all its conveniences.

Smart cars have advanced electronics, software, and connectivity features. They include electric cars, self-driving (autonomous) vehicles, and cars integrated with 5G technology for improved performance, safety, and environmental sustainability.

Smart cars utilize 5G technology to enhance vehicle connectivity, enabling faster data transfer for real-time navigation, improved safety features, remote control capabilities, and entertainment systems. 5G is pivotal for supporting the complex data needs of autonomous driving systems.

Current research suggests that the levels of EMF radiation emitted by smart cars fall within international safety guidelines. However, scientific consensus on the long-term health effects of low-level EMF exposure remains under study, and more research is needed to understand the implications fully.

To minimize EMF exposure, you can limit wireless devices in the car, opt for vehicles with lower EMF emissions based on manufacturer data, use wired connections instead of Bluetooth when possible, and consider EMF shielding products designed for automotive use.

Electric vehicles can emit higher levels of EMF radiation due to their electric motors and battery systems. However, these levels are generally within safety standards designed to protect human health. The difference in EMF exposure compared to gasoline cars is still a subject of ongoing research.

International guidelines and national regulations limit EMF emissions from electronic devices, including those used in smart cars. Vehicle manufacturers must comply with these standards to ensure the safety of passengers and pedestrians.

EMF shielding products can reduce EMF exposure by blocking or attenuating electromagnetic fields. However, their effectiveness varies, and they should be chosen carefully to ensure they do not interfere with the car's operation or safety features. It is important to select products specifically designed for automotive use and tested for efficacy.