According to D.S. Automobile’s study, driving an electric vehicle can reduce your anxiety compared to driving a gas-powered car. Maybe it’s the lack of engine noise or the quieter in-cabin experience. Perhaps, it’s the lack of pain from having to pay an arm and a leg at the gas pump. Let’s take a closer look and find out.

The study shows that hybrid and electric car owners feel less stressed

D.S. Automobiles surveyed 2,000 drivers in the U.K. and found that more than 78% of them reportedly felt agitated when driving. However, 38% of hybrid and electric vehicle owners said that their current car makes them feel less stressed than the gas-only counterparts that they used to own, says Green Car Reports.

As far as which features make them feel less stressed, 41% of the respondents said that a “quiet and refined drive” was a key factor. Surprisingly enough, that was the top reason as 52% of the survey respondents cited that a comfortable interior was the most effective feature when it came to reducing stress. As stated before, the lack of engine noise also makes a major difference compared to gas-powered cars.

What is DS Automobiles?

In case you’re wondering what DS Automobiles is, it’s a French luxury automobile manufacturer that has produced electric and hybrid vehicles since 2019. According to Hispotion, the brand plans to produce all-electric models come 2024. One point of irony in this particular automaker conducting a study about stress is that it has an all-electric SUV model called the E-Tense.

Jokes aside, the French automaker does well to make its cars as stress-free as possible. As such, some DS vehicles utilize a cutting-edge technology called DS Active Scan Suspension in order to provide a stress-free driving experience. This innovative feature “scans” the road and adjusts the dampening at each corner to ensure a smoother ride.

The automaker also uses upscale materials throughout its lineup to make for a stress-free environment in its cars. You’ll find materials such as forged carbon, Alcantara, and wood in each car in addition to luxury features like massaging seats. Unfortunately, as cool as this all sounds, DS Automobiles’ lineup is only available in Europe. However, its study on stress is still relevant to the American market.

How to destress while driving

Do you get stressed out when you’re behind the wheel? If so, here are a few tips for taking the stress out of your daily commute:

• Drink a citrus smoothie during your drive: The Zebra reports that including citrus and green tea in your morning beverage can help prevent you from getting stressed. Citrus prevents spikes in your cortisol level and green tea boosts your dopamine levels.
• Use a guided meditation app: There’s no denying that meditation helps to calm you down and it helps when you’re driving as well. Use a guided meditation app to help you out.
• Listen to an audiobook: Listening to an audiobook can help reduce stress levels as well.
• Eat dark chocolate: Studies have shown that chocolate with at least concentrations of up to 70% cacao has been shown to have positive effects on stress.

Those are a few ways to be less stressed on your commute. Just remember to keep your focus on the road, you wouldn’t want to be too relaxed.