Finding A Low EMF Car: A Step-By-Step Guide

EMF radiation is a pervasive part of everyday life. It is in our homes and surrounds us outdoors. And, in many cases, it can even be found inside our cars.

A car may not seem like the most obvious source for EMF radiation, but our vehicles actually produce a great deal. For one, a vehicle’s engine produces a magnetic field as it runs. Additionally, many newer cars make use of fancy electronics and Bluetooth connectivity, leading to the production of RF-EMF radiation, as well. To learn more about how cars produce EMF radiation, see EMF Car Protection: A Complete Guide.

Now, spending time in a car that generates EMFs is problematic for a few reasons. Commuters and frequent travelers often spend long hours inside of their cars. During this time, they are in close proximity with any EMF radiation produced by the engine or the vehicle’s electronics. If you’re familiar with the inverse square law, then you know that the closer you are to a source of radiation, the higher your exposure will be. And in a car, there is no creating distance between you and the source.

Whether you spend a lot of time in your car, you suffer from Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity, or you’re simply an EMF conscious individual, it’s easy to see why it may be worthwhile to seek out a low EMF car. This guide is here to help. We will point out some lower EMF models, as well as give tips for your own low EMF car hunt.

Don’t expect to see too many newer cars on our list, however. Finding a low EMF car isn’t about having all the bells and whistles. In fact, the more features your car has, especially high-tech features, the more EMF radiation it is likely to produce. As such, many of the cars on our list are older. And, in all cases, we recommend sticking to the base model.

Low EMF cars

5. 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. Although it may be getting up there in years, the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu is a solid choice for anyone searching for a lower EMF sedan. Fuel economy ranges from 17 to 22 miles per gallon in the city and 26 to 33 miles per gallon on the highway. The Malibu has a six-speed automatic transmission and the engine is available with between 169 and 252 horsepower. Like other cars, the Malibu’s base option is best from an EMF standpoint, although it doesn’t have too many bells and whistles. It’s not a luxury automobile by any means, but the included safety features can at least give you peace of mind while driving — anti-lock brakes, airbags, and electronic stability control all come standard with the Malibu. The base model appears to provide reasonably low EMF readings, as well, although the driver’s front floor may be a bit of a hot spot.

4. 2018 Toyota Rav4. If an SUV is more your style, there is the 2018 base model of Toyota’s Rav4. It offers a roomy cabin area with plenty of cargo space and it is generally regarded as a reliable and safe option. The impressive array of standard safety features include forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and brake assist. It’s worth noting that the Rav4 does come standard with Bluetooth, which, while convenient, can contribute to higher EMF radiation levels. The overall EMF levels in the car are said to be fairly low, however. Feature-wise, the Rav4 offers a 176 horsepower engine, 17-inch steel wheels, a touch screen entertainment center, and a rearview camera to aid in backing up. When it comes to gas mileage, the Rav4 gets about 22 miles per gallon in the city and 28 miles per gallon in the city.

3. 2014 Ford Fusion. The base 2014 Fusion is a midsize sedan that is perfect for anyone looking for a little pep while they drive. The 175 horsepower engine provides adequate responsiveness and power, as well, although it’s worth noting that the base model doesn’t get as good of gas mileage as other, similarly sized vehicles. It’s almost more comparable to an SUV, with 22 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway. Other versions of the 2014 Fusion feature an EcoBoost engine that improves the gas mileage a bit, but again, if your focus is EMF radiation, the base model is usually best. The Fusion’s cabin is roomy and spacious, and the seats are supportive and comfortable even when driving for long stretches. This sedan is also estimated to cost less than other vehicles in its class to own over time, meaning it may be a little more reliable, as well.

2. 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. Pickup trucks are usually a safer bet when it comes to EMF radiation, because their large size allows for more space between passengers and the engine compartment. The 2014 Silverado is one lower EMF pickup truck option worth considering. With best-in-class reliability, the Silverado can fit up to six people and offers between 285 and 420 horsepower. The standard V6 engine provides ample power for everyday use as well as some light hauling and the fuel economy is decent, as well, with 18 miles per gallon in the city and 23 miles per gallon on the highway. While some models of the 2014 Silverado include Bluetooth and other advanced features, if you want a lower EMF truck, stick with the base version which includes a four-speaker stereo system and air conditioning.

1. 2015 Ford F-150. Another excellent pickup truck option, the 2015 F-150 is both powerful and comfortable. The base unit offers up 282 horsepower, and gas mileage is estimated to be between 15 and 19 miles per gallon in the city and 21 to 26 miles per gallon on the highway. The F-150 is a high-performing truck that is reliable and heavy-duty and the second row provides ample space for passengers. As always, if you are considering going with the F-150, the base model may have fewer advanced features, but it will also generate less EMF radiation as it lacks Bluetooth.

Tips for your car search

If you are embarking on a search for a new car and would like to find a low EMF model, there are a few things to keep in mind.

As we mentioned earlier, the more electronics your car has, the more EMF radiation it is going to produce. Sure, it is nice to be able to sync your phone up to the stereo, but this can just as easily be achieved by installing a hook up in an older stereo and plugging it into your phone’s headphone jack. All those added features, especially if they require Bluetooth connectivity, are going to produce more EMF radiation. And most of the time, you are unable to disable Bluetooth in your car. Even if you pull the fuse, you could potentially be disabling other features that you actually need.

On that same note, the more stripped down your car is, the better. While you may love the convenience of power windows and locks, these features require electricity to run, and that is going to create electric and magnetic field radiation. Manual windows and locks, meanwhile, are hand operated and really won’t generate any extra EMF radiation at all. And as an added bonus, the fewer of these electronic features you have, the less strain you are placing on your alternator and your car, in general.

It boils down to finding the simplest car you can that meets your needs. If you can live without a 120V plug, Bluetooth connectivity, and all the other bells and whistles that many modern cars have, you will ultimately be rewarded with lower EMF radiation exposure.

Testing your car

Before purchasing a car, you may want to bring an EMF meter to test its levels. If you don’t already have one of these handy devices, head over to The Best EMF Meters For Any Budget to find what one is right for you. In this case, you will want one that can detect electric fields, magnetic fields, and radio frequency waves.

To test your car’s levels, take one set of measurements with the car off and one set with the car on. Also, note that the levels will change based on the car’s RPMs — the engine will likely produce more ELF-EMF radiation when the RPMs are higher. To measure this, you can take measurements while revving the engine — just be sure the car is in park.

Be sure to take readings at different points throughout the car. Common hotspots include the driver’s side floor, passenger’s side floor, near the entertainment center, by the gear shifter, and by the steering wheel. Also take note of the levels in the backseat, as well.

Different cars are going to produce different EMF levels, and this exercise will help you see if your new ride falls within what you would consider an acceptable level.

Parting thoughts

The car can be a significant source of EMF radiation if you regularly spend long hours driving. To cut back on this, consider switching to a low EMF car. They may have fewer features, but they are a little bit safer from a radiation standpoint, and often cheaper, to boot.