It’s official — dogs have spoken (or at least wagged approvingly). A new study confirms that our four-legged companions feel far more at ease in electric vehicles than in their noisy, fuel-guzzling counterparts.
Veterinary surgeon and dog expert Dr Scott Miller put the theory to the test, strapping a one-year-old Cocker Spaniel named Mango into three different Škoda models—one electric, one petrol, one diesel — and taking him for a spin at speeds up to 112kph. Mango’s heart rate was monitored throughout, and the results were, well, shocking.
In the all-electric Škoda Elroq, Mango’s heart rate barely broke a sweat, rising modestly from a resting 80 beats per minute (bpm) to just 100 bpm. In contrast, the petrol car sent his pulse to 120 bpm, and the diesel model took things up a notch to 125 bpm.
The takeaway? EVs keep canines calmer, while traditional engines apparently make them feel like they’re stuck in a never-ending fireworks display.
Not only was Mango’s heart rate lower in the EV, but his behaviour was also telling — he lay down, relaxed, and almost nodded off. Meanwhile, in the petrol and diesel cars, he was far more restless, sitting upright and turning his head dramatically, complete with wide-eyed distress.
The study, commissioned to coincide with Škoda’s sponsorship of Crufts, was conducted at the former Top Gear test track in Surrey. Crufts is an annual internationaal dog show in UK.
Dr Miller attributed Mango’s newfound Zen to the EV’s quiet mechanics, lack of jerky gear changes, and a generally smoother ride.
Dog behaviourist Anna Webb concurred, adding that dogs’ ultra-sensitive hearing picks up the high-frequency sounds and vibrations of traditional engines, which can trigger stress and even motion sickness.
A survey of 1,500 dog-owning drivers backed up the findings, revealing that nearly a third worry about their pet’s anxiety during car journeys. In fact, 54% of owners have actively avoided car trips with their dogs, while 41% say their pup’s comfort is a factor in choosing their next vehicle.
Škoda, which previously launched a “Happy Hounds” playlist to calm anxious dogs, now has even more reason to push EVs as the superior dog-friendly choice.
For those still stuck with a petrol or diesel car, experts recommend easing dogs into travel, providing good ventilation, and — perhaps most importantly — keeping human stress levels in check. After all, if your cortisol spikes in a traffic jam, your pooch will know.
So, if you want your furry co-pilot to enjoy the ride rather than endure it, it might be time to plug in and chill out.
