Electric Vehicle Magnetic Fields and Their Biological Relevance

Public expectations to move towards electric mobility are driven by various factors such as climate policy, high oil prices, and pollutants due to internal combustion engines. On the other hand, there is extensive public concern about the possible adverse health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) generated by electric vehicles. As electrical power and power electronics systems become more prevalent in transportation, the need for examining biological relevance of such systems becomes ever more important. In particular, it is necessary to pay special attention to magnetic fields (MF), because biological studies suggest that magnetic rather than electric component could be biologically effective. In this paper we present a review of observed EMF on electric vehicles (EV) and possible biological effects together with our research on measurements and analysis of magnetic fields encountered onboard public DC- and AC-powered vehicles. Maximum automotive magnetic field magnitudes varied from a few μT to 120 μT. For members of the general public, this range of exposures in personal scale electric transportation systems is comparable in magnitude to exposures from other commonly encountered sources. However, electric vehicles exposures are totally different from common power line exposures; they are characterized by the complex frequency content and specific waveforms. The obtained measurement information allowed characterization of specific magnetic field features that could be biologically plausible: wide frequency range, intermittency, interaction with DC-field and other aspects. We consider these specific features of transport EMF in regard to their biological relevance. The careful mapping of magnetic fields inside the vehicle at different operating conditions derived to the recognition of the main sources of magnetic fields. This information could be important both for possible mitigation and for electromagnetic compatibility issues.