Is It True That Electric Vehicles Can Stall Due to Magnetic Fields on Railway Tracks?

SOLO, KOMPAS.com - The issue that electric vehicles can stall due to interference from magnetic fields above railway tracks often circulates in society. However, technically, this is not true under normal conditions.

Electric vehicles are designed with electronic systems that already meet electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards. This means the vehicles can operate without being disrupted by electromagnetic fields from the surrounding environment.

Jayan Sentanuhady, a lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), stated that railway tracks, whether powered by electricity or not, do not produce a magnetic field strong enough to affect vehicle systems.

“The electromagnetic field from electric train systems does exist, but its intensity is low and does not spread significantly to the road surface,” Jayan told KOMPAS.com on Wednesday (29/4/2026).

Therefore, the existing magnetic field is not strong enough to interfere with vehicles, including electric ones.

In fact, vehicle breakdowns on railway tracks are more often caused by internal problems. For conventional vehicles, common causes include the engine stalling, running out of fuel, or a weak battery.

“For electric vehicles, stalling can occur if the battery is depleted or there is a disruption in the internal electrical system. However, this has no connection to the railway tracks,” Jayan said.

Rail crossings are also points where vehicles often stop or slow down. This condition increases the likelihood that problematic vehicles appear to break down frequently at those locations.

“It is best, when crossing railway tracks, to ensure there is space for one vehicle ahead after the tracks before crossing, but most people do it tightly; the key is patience,” Jayan advised.