Paw-sitive Travels: Dogs less stressful driving in electric vehicles, says recent study from Škoda

Toronto, Ontario – In a recent study released by Škoda, the Czech automaker reveals that dogs are less anxious when travelling in an electric vehicle compared to gas-based alternatives. It’s a ruff road for our furry friends when it comes to travel, but it seems electric vehicles (EVs) might be the paw-fect solution for keeping them calm, says the automaker.

Škoda specifically collaborated with veterinary surgeon, Dr. Scott Miller, to produce the study, with research involving monitoring the test dog’s heart rate in both electric and internal combustion engine vehicles.

Notably, one-year-old Cocker Spaniel Mango was driven around a private track in three different Škoda models.

The study found that Mango’s resting heart rate of 80 beats per minute (BPM) only rose to 100 BPM in the electric vehicle, versus 120 and 125 BPM in petrol and diesel-based test models.

In the electric vehicle, Mango also reportedly fell asleep, but remained standing and restless in the other two test vehicles.

“The experiment clearly shows the health and psychological benefits of travelling in an EV for dogs,” said Dr. Scott Miller in the study. “Observing Mango’s reactions while travelling at the same speed on the same track, but in different vehicles, made it clear that the EV provided a smoother, more calming experience.”

So, if you want to give your dog the paws-itively best ride, electric vehicle are perhaps one paws-ibility. To read the full study, click here.