Israeli Environment Ministry Reports High Radiation Levels in Some Electric and Hybrid Cars

The Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection has expanded its public database on electromagnetic radiation levels emitted inside various car models sold in Israel, including plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles, and gasoline cars. This follows an initial report released in April and aims to increase transparency and provide consumers with data to compare radiation exposure across different vehicles.

The ministry's expert committee recommends a chronic exposure limit of 4 milligauss (mG) based on precautionary principles, although this is not a mandatory safety standard. Some studies have suggested a possible statistical link between prolonged exposure to high magnetic fields and increased leukemia risk in children, but no causal relationship has been confirmed.

Among the newly tested models, the Geely Starry plug-in hybrid showed the highest maximum radiation level at 210 mG, exceeding the recommended limit by 52.5 times. Other high emitters include the JAC 8 plug-in (201 mG), MG S9 plug-in (181 mG), Umuda 7 plug-in (148 mG), and JAC 5 hybrid (128 mG). Conversely, models like the Zicar 001 and Zicar 7X recorded zero milligauss exposure.

Measurements were conducted by Safe Fields according to the international IEC 62764 standard, assessing multiple seating positions inside the passenger cabin. The ministry emphasized that these values represent peak radiation levels and reiterated its support for electric and hybrid vehicles as part of air pollution reduction efforts, noting no proven health risks from non-ionizing radiation in these cars.

Despite the growing number of electric vehicles on Israeli roads, over 170,000 electric and about 360,000 hybrid cars, the ministry does not regulate vehicle radiation emissions and highlights that no country currently imposes marketing or usage restrictions based on such radiation, aside from an acute exposure limit of 1000 mG. Projections indicate that within five years, one in four new cars in Israel will be electric, underscoring the importance of ongoing monitoring and public awareness.