Electromagnetic Radiation emitted from an Electric Vehicle
Hyper Extreme EMR Levels Recorded in Tesla EV Test Drive
By Coffee & Other News
August 6, 2025
Electromagnetic Radiation in EVs: What Are We Really Exposed To?
I had been planning for a while to make a video sharing my comments on electromagnetic radiation (EMR) levels inside electric vehicles (EVs). The idea resurfaced recently when a friend mentioned visiting a city that uses self-driving cabs. That sparked a reminder — how much radiation is bouncing around inside these vehicles?
During a recent trip to the interior of British Columbia, I met someone who drove an EV. He was curious and asked, “What are the radiation levels inside one of these cars?” We decided to find out.
The Test: A Short Drive, a Surprising Reading
We arranged for a short test drive in his Tesla Model Y, using a Safe and Sound Pro II meter — a professional-grade device that measures EMR accurately between 200 MHz and 8,000 MHz (8 GHz), and also detects radiation outside that range (though it does not measure millimeter wave, or mmWave).
Before starting, I asked the driver if he could turn the vehicle’s electrical system off. Apparently, this is very difficult or even impossible to do. That raised a red flag:
Why must the vehicle remain “on” even when parked, and what kind of data or signals is it constantly transmitting?
The Results: Readings in the Hyper Extreme Zone
We went for a drive, and the readings were consistently over 100,000 µW/m² (microwatts per square meter).
Now, to put that in perspective:
While this is still far below Canada’s official “Safety Code 6” threshold, there is no actual legal limit for EMR exposure in Canada.
Personally, I find anything over 500 µW/m² to be uncomfortable.
According to the Safe and Sound meter's standards, 100,000+ µW/m² falls into the "Hyper Extreme" danger zone.
During the drive, the meter would frequently spike above 125,000 µW/m². I suspect (though cannot prove) that these spikes may have been caused by LIDAR or similar sensing tech from nearby vehicles.
The Tesla Twist: Regenerative Braking Spikes
Interestingly, when the regenerative braking system of the Tesla Model Y was engaged, the meter readings shot up to over 200,000 µW/m².
At that point, I had heard and seen enough. I won’t be getting an EV anytime soon — not until I understand more about the long-term exposure risks.
Final Thought
I’m not trying to fearmonger — just to ask questions. Why aren’t we talking more about constant EMR exposure in cars that rely on non-stop digital communication systems?
Why is there no enforceable EMR limit in Canada?
And why is it so hard to turn off these “smart” vehicles?
If we care about public health, these are discussions worth having.
