There are myriad factors to consider when shopping for a new vehicle, from safety ratings and efficiency scores to seating capacity, available features, insurance costs, potential discounts, and much more. But would you ever purchase a vehicle based on what your pet prefers? Many drivers would probably say no, but a fun study that came out recently might convince some folks to get an electric vehicle over a gasoline- or diesel-powered model.
Electric Vehicles Are More Relaxing
According to a recent report from Australia-born veterinarian Dr. Scott Miller working in partnership with Volkswagen Group brand Skoda, dogs may like EVs more than combustion-powered cars and trucks. How can you tell what kind of vehicle a pooch prefers? Well, they did some intriguing research.
This is an admittedly tiny sample size – absolutely minuscule – plus, this test is not very scientific, so take that for what you will, but they monitored a dog’s heart-rate while traveling in vehicles fitted with different powertrains. The adorable test subject was a 1-year-old cocker spaniel named Mango.
Researchers tested gas-, diesel-, and electric-powered Skoda vehicles by driving them on a test track at up to 70 mph, all while tracking Mango’s heart rate. As for the results, there was one clear winner. The diesel-powered Skoda was the least-favorite option, with Mango’s heart rate hitting 125 beats per minute, a significant increase over his resting heart rate, which was just 80 bpm. The gas-burning vehicle was not much better than the diesel, with Mango’s heart beating 120 times per minute while underway.
The Clear Winner
As for the battery-powered offering, this furry test subject was loaded into a Skoda Elroq, an all-electric compact SUV. During the drive, Mango’s heart-rate only hit 100 bpm, significantly lower than with the other powertrains. In addition to those hard numbers, there’s anecdotal evidence suggesting that the EV was preferred. “Mango appeared to be more relaxed in the Elroq, lying down and almost falling asleep during the drive,” the report notes. “In the fuel-powered cars, he appeared more distracted and less settled.”
Similarly, as Dr. Miller noted in the media release published by Skoda, “Observing Mango’s reactions while traveling at the same speed on the same track, but in different vehicles, made it clear that the EV provided a smoother and more calming experience.” He attributes this to how quiet and vibration-free electric vehicles are compared to combustion-powered models. Some diesel engines, in particular, are infamous for their clattering and coarseness, since the combustion process involves very high fuel injection pressures. Even gas engines with direct injection can make quite a bit of noise.
Underscoring these findings, a survey of 1,500 dog owners shows that 32 percent of them worry about their pup’s anxiety while traveling by car. Dog safety was also a top concern. Similarly, 41 percent of pooch owners would consider factoring in their dog’s comfort when purchasing a new vehicle, and if that’s the case, many of them might want to consider an electric model in the future.
Read the full article here