Electric vehicles: preferred by pooches

January 31, 2023

E-mobility is on the mind of many transport operators… and it would certainly be the first choice for pooches too!

A first-of-its-kind study has revealed that dogs prefer electric vehicles (EVs) over vehicles with diesel engines. The study – conducted by the University of Lincoln and CarGurus – was commissioned to investigate the effects of travelling in EVs versus diesel vehicles on dog behaviour and welfare.

During the study, dogs were taken on two 10-minute journeys, one in an EV followed by the same route in a diesel, before a range of scientific measures were used to analyse their behaviour.

Led by Daniel Mills, Professor of Veterinary Behavioural Medicine at the University of Lincoln, the study not only found that dogs were less settled in diesel vehicles compared with EVs, but dogs appearing to show some signs of car sickness had notably reduced symptoms in an EV.

While the dogs in the study lay down for around a third of the journey’s duration regardless of powertrain, in diesel vehicles they broke their laying position on average 50% more than when in an EV. Prof Mills states this is likely the result of differences in noise and/or vibration in the two types of vehicle.

Notably, a small number of dogs appeared to feel markedly less nauseous in an EV compared to a diesel vehicle. This was demonstrated by changes in behaviour and the fact that their heart rates reduced by up to 30% when travelling in an EV.

The study also uncovered that many dogs seemed to enjoy the motion of vehicles. With a higher heart rate linked to motion sickness, data revealed that heart rates in 66% of the dogs went down as a result of travel in both diesel vehicles and EVs.

Lastly, the research looked at how dog owners try to keep their pets relaxed in the vehicle. Nearly half (47%) give treats to encourage dogs to get in the vehicle, 46% put a toy or blanket in the vehicle, 36% go on drives in the vehicle to get them used to travelling, and 36% play relaxing music. It’s clearly a dog’s life (especially if its owner has an EV)!