EV passengers turn to hidden iPhone setting as social media links travel sickness to regenerative braking
- Perry Richardson
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Videos on TikTok claiming electric vehicles are more likely to trigger travel sickness are attracting widespread attention, with passengers sharing their experiences of feeling unwell while travelling in EVs, particularly when using ride-hailing services.
One video has received more than 10,000 likes and comments, with one user writing: “yes!!!! electric vehicles make me feel so travel sick!?” Another joked: “The way I’m fighting for my LIFE anytime my Uber is a Tesla.”
The discussion has centred on regenerative braking, a feature fitted to most modern electric vehicles. Rather than relying solely on conventional friction brakes, regenerative braking slows the vehicle by using the electric motor to recover energy and return it to the battery. While the technology improves efficiency and extends driving range, some passengers believe the stronger and more frequent deceleration can make journeys feel less comfortable, particularly if drivers are still adapting to one-pedal driving techniques.
The issue may be more noticeable for passengers looking at phones or tablets during a journey. Motion sickness is commonly linked to a conflict between what the eyes perceive and what the body’s balance system detects. Reading, watching videos or scrolling on a screen can increase that sensory mismatch, especially if the vehicle is accelerating or slowing frequently.
Technology recycling comparison site Compare & Recycle says Apple devices include a feature designed to help reduce this effect. The Vehicle Motion Cues setting, available through Settings > Accessibility > Motion, displays animated dots around the edge of the screen that move in line with the vehicle’s motion.
Lee Elliott, Chief Product Officer at Compare & Recycle, said: “Car sickness is often caused by a mismatch between what the eyes see and what the body feels, and using a phone or tablet while in a moving vehicle is one of the most common triggers. Regenerative braking can make this worse, since the more variable deceleration adds another layer of motion the body has to process. But it’s worth knowing there’s a built-in setting that can help reduce that effect.
“Vehicle Motion Cues, found under Settings > Accessibility > Motion on most Apple devices, display a subtle set of moving dots around the edge of the screen that shift in response to the car’s movement.
“Because the dots move in sync with the vehicle, they give the eyes a visual cue that matches what the inner ear is already sensing, which is what helps ease that underlying mismatch. It works with the device in normal use, so people can still watch videos, play games or read while it’s active. It can be set to come on automatically whenever the phone detects it’s in a moving vehicle, so there’s nothing to remember once it’s set up.”
Elliott added that the feature is not limited to road travel. “It’s also worth remembering this isn’t just a car journey issue. The same setting and the same principles apply on trains, coaches and ferries too.”
Android users do not currently have an equivalent feature built into the operating system, but Elliott said alternatives are available. He pointed to the free KineStop app, which overlays moving dots on the screen in a similar way to Apple’s solution, while Samsung users can also use Hearapy, a sound-based application designed for Galaxy Buds users to help reduce motion discomfort.
For passengers who continue to experience symptoms, Elliott recommends avoiding screens altogether where possible. “For people who still feel unwell even with the setting enabled, it’s worth keeping a screen-free backup on hand.
“An audiobook can give you something to focus on without needing to look at a screen at all, and can help once symptoms start to appear.
“Of course, while these settings can be useful, none of them replace the value in regular breaks and fresh air, which remain the most effective way to manage travel sickness on a long journey.
“But for anyone who knows a screen will be part of the trip regardless, particularly in an EV, it’s a straightforward setting that takes moments to turn on and could make a noticeable difference.”
