Reasonable question: Will people with pacemakers pose a danger to electric vehicles?

Research at the Technical University of Munich provides clear answers

A study conducted by researchers at the Technical University of Munich and New Zealand investigated whether and to what extent electric vehicles will affect cardiac pacemakers. In most cases, the results are reassuring.

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In principle, electromagnetic fields [EMF] may affect how pacemakers work. This is why smartphones are usually banned in certain areas of the hospital. However, according to the German Heart Foundation, this situation is extremely rare. Nonetheless, experts recommend a minimum distance of 15 to 20 cm between the opened smartphone and the pacemaker.

Mobile phones are a compact product that can be quickly set aside if necessary. But how do people with pacemakers ride an electric car, drive on the electric car for a long time, or stop at the charging station of the electric car?

At this point, electric cars pose little danger

Researchers at the Technical University of Munich, the Munich Heart Center and the Wellington Heart Center in New Zealand are now able to answer this question through observational research. The following people were examined.

• 108 people with pacemakers
• 90% of men
• Average age 58 years

Each participant must "drive" the four most popular electric cars and charge them at the charging station. The following vehicles are used, which are located on the variable resistance dynamometer to increase and decrease the engine output power:

• Nissan leaves
• Tesla Model S P85
• BMW i3
• Volkswagen eUp

Results: While driving or charging electric vehicles, no test participants experienced any abnormal or measurable damage to the pacemaker. The strongest electromagnetic field is formed when charging the battery. This also has no effect on test participants.

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Dr. Matthew O'Connor from Wellington summarized the following results: "We are pleased to announce that the use of electric vehicles is not dangerous for people who implant implants." According to scientists, the simple reason is that the electromagnetic radiation is still far below the limit. The manufacturer has protected the battery for its own benefit-so as not to interfere with the on-board computer.