The New York Times published a report on the theoretical health risks of hybrid cars that  is generating a lot of discussion, but few conclusions, in the automotive press.  The Times noted, "The flow of electrical current to the motor that moves a hybrid vehicle at low speeds (and assists the gasoline engine on the highway) produces magnetic fields (EMF's), which some studies have associated with serious health matters, including a possible risk of leukemia among children."  Though "Americans live with EMF's all around -- produced by everything from cell phones to electric blankets -- there is no broad agreement over what level of exposure constitutes a health hazard, and there is no federal standard that sets allowable exposure levels."  But people spend longer in their cars than they do on their cell phones, so the theoretical risk of magnetic fields in hybrids is quite high. 

Hybrid manufacturers say there is no reason to be concerned. Toyota says in a statement, "The measured electromagnetic fields inside and outside of Toyota hybrid vehicles in the 50 to 60 hertz range are at the same low levels as conventional gasoline vehicles. Therefore there are no additional health risks to drivers, passengers or bystanders."

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer notes that while the U.S. has no safety standards for magnetic fields, Europe does.  Hybrid manufacturers generally say "that their vehicles generated low levels of magnetism, below European standards for safe exposures."

With very little research available on the topic, for now there are no conclusions we can reach.  We're with Kicking Tires when they say "There isn't enough known about either hybrids or EMFs to jump to conclusions about EMF danger, which wouldn't help anything anyway. It's simply an issue that deserves further study by disinterested parties."

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