https://electrek.co/2018/05/15/electric-vehicles-reduce-stress-for-drivers-brain-monitoring-study/
Electric vehicles reduce stress for drivers, says new brain monitoring study
May. 15th 2018  Fred Lambert

[image  
https://electrek.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/results-monitoring.jpg
Brain cap  Results monitoring
]

Electric vehicles already have several advantages over gas-powered cars.
From no fuel cost to zero tailpipe emission, but now a new study might
confirm another often overlooked advantage of EVs.

The quieter driving environment of an electrically driven vehicle can have
significant mental health benefits, according to a new brain monitoring
study.

The study was led by acoustics expert Dr. Duncan Williams of the University
of York and ordered by LEVC (London EV Company), which makes the electric
black cabs operating in London.

What they did is place an electroencephalogram, often referred to as a
‘brain cap’, on the head of four professional cabbies who all operate in
central London and monitor their brain activity as they drove both the
electric and diesel black cabs.

They claim that the results indicate that drivers are more focused, calmer,
and happier when driving the electric version of the taxi:

    More focused than when driving the diesel [ice] vehicle

        Higher levels of beta brain wave activity were recorded by drivers
in the electric vehicle, which indicates higher levels of active
concentration. In short, while driving the electric taxi, drivers were freed
up get on with driving

        This was particularly noticeable when vehicles are waiting at
traffic lights – a common situation for the London cabbie

    Calmer than when driving the diesel [ice] vehicle

        Heart rate was consistently less variable in the electric taxi than
the diesel taxi, indicating greater mental calmness

        The electric taxi was a less noisy working environment for the
drivers with around 5dB less overall amplitude, and an increased dynamic
range in comparison to recordings from the diesel taxi.

    Happier than when driving the diesel [ice] vehicle

        Additional driver survey data showed that the largest improvement
over the diesel taxi reported by the drivers was increased happiness

        This was followed by reduced stress and less distraction in the
electric taxi

Dr. Williams also commented on the findings of the study:

    This study proved hugely interesting. The drivers all reported being
calmer, less stressed and happier in the electric taxi than in the old
diesel model. Traditionally those feelings would correlate with more Alpha
brain waves, which are a good indicator of relaxation. But when we looked at
the data, the drivers’ showed more Beta brain waves, an indicator of mental
activity and attention.

    What does this mean? Well, the study suggests that the quieter driving
environment allowed cabbies to be in a more concentrated state of mind. In
other words, by removing the noisy diesel engine rumble, they are perhaps
freed up to get on with driving in a more focused, but calm way. It’s a
fascinating result and, given the movement towards electric commercial
vehicles, shows there are even more benefits of going electric than we might
have previously thought.

They say that all the drivers already had driven many miles in the electric
TX taxi and were familiar with its controls and driving behavior.

Electrek’s Take

We always have to be careful with studies paid for by biased parties, but it
is easy to believe the results here.

I personally do feel more relaxed in electric vehicles, and especially in my
Model S. The quieter ride and smoother instant acceleration feedback likely
have something to do with it, but I also think that the thought that I am
not burning gas makes me feel a lot better.

Whenever I can smell the exhaust from another vehicle, I’m reminded that my
vehicle is fueled by hydroelectricity and that’s a good thought. I am no
psychologist, but I think the more good thoughts you have throughout the
day, the less stress you will experience.

What about you? Do you feel less stressed when driving electric? If so, why
do you think it is the case? Let us know in the comment section below.
[© electrek.co]


https://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/3032256/could-electric-vehicles-make-motorists-calmer
Could electric vehicles make motorists calmer?
15 May 2018  ... Electric vehicles (EV) are known to deliver significant air
quality and emissions reduction benefits, but could they also help improve
the mental well-being of motorists? That is the question addressed ...
(subscription)
https://www.businessgreen.com/w-images/1a1d2af8-01d8-478b-8503-c6198353082d/1/Driveronroadpreview-580x358.jpeg


https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/news/104016920/driving-an-ev-makes-you-less-stressed-more-focused
Driving an EV makes you less stressed, more focused
May 22 201  It's official: driving an electric vehicle in the city can make
you less stressed, which ... the silence of EV can also improve your
concentration and potentially make ...
https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/p/z/e/x/z/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1pxfyw.png/1526951585468.jpg




For EVLN EV-newswire posts use:
 http://evdl.org/archive/


{brucedp.neocities.org}

--
Sent from: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/
_______________________________________________
UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub
http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org
Please discuss EV drag racing at NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)

Reply via email to