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this post was submitted on 20 Mar 2025
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Disclaimer - not an electromagnetic scientist wizard
My understanding is that EMPs are more of a concern for the tiny electronics on computers versus relatively large motors or batteries. So, an electric vehicle is still at risk, but I don’t think it’d be any more at risk than any ICE car that’s all computerized anyways.
“Everything’s computer”
With all the touch screens and computer controlled door handles I wouldn‘t bet on a Tesla in this showdown.
Nuke type EMPs are a threat to very long wires, like miles long ones used to transmit power. The blast causes a ripple in the earths magnetic field that induces current over huge distances. But I don't know what a more handheld device would affect.
Electric motors work by inducing a magnetic field with coils of wire, so I’m sure a strong enough EMP would disrupt it temporarily, but I don’t know if it would meaningfully damage anything after the EMP ceased.
They're made specifically to deal with high electromagnetic flux, so it definitely wouldn't hurt them long term. Best bet would be something higher frequency to mess with the computers.