HOW TO SAVE AM RADIO IN EVS--CHEAPLY

EV Channels Review

This video delves into the technical reasons behind electromagnetic interference (EMI) disrupting AM radio in electric vehicles (EVs). EMI expert Joanna McLellan explains that the rapid switching in EV motors and inverters creates radio frequency spectrum pollution. She argues that engineers often lack the fundamental physics understanding to mitigate this, leading to issues beyond just AM radio, potentially affecting emergency services and other radio communications. McLellan criticizes the common practice of using expensive shielding as a last resort, advocating instead for the cheaper and more effective use of resistors to dampen resonance and reduce EMI at the design stage. The core issue, she posits, stems from a flawed understanding of 'ground' in electrical engineering education, particularly at frequencies above 100 kHz. The video highlights that this problem is not exclusive to legacy automakers but is also present in EVs from companies like Tesla, and that mechanical engineers hold a key to solving these design challenges if educated properly. The expert stresses that without proper training and early integration of EMC principles, the problem will worsen as EVs adopt more advanced components like silicon carbide chips, potentially impacting even cell phone spectrum.