According to Czech Skoda, there is no doubt what dogs would prefer to be transported in. Namely electric cars. However, there is hardly any evidence for this.
The Czech car brand claims that dogs prefer electric cars to both gasoline and diesel cars. But the Czechs are having a hard time proving their claim.
A one-year-old cocker spaniel named Mango participated in the trial, which was conducted in three different Skoda models with electric, gasoline and diesel engines, respectively.
The trial took place at the famous Dunsfold Aerodrome, which has been used by the car show Top Gear since 2002.
Here, Mango was transported in cars at speeds of up to 110 kilometers per hour. The dog's heart rate was measured to assess the stress level in the different cars.
The results showed that Mango's resting heart rate increased from 80 to 100 beats per minute in the electric car, a Skoda Elroq. In the cars with a combustion engine, the heart rate increased to 120 and 125 beats per minute, respectively.
According to Skoda, this is a sign of a higher stress level in the dog. According to Skoda, Mango was so calm in the electric car that he lay down and almost fell asleep, while in the fossil fuel cars he was more restless and distracted.
To make it a more credible claim, Skoda has teamed up with a veterinarian.
– The trial clearly shows the health and psychological benefits of traveling in an electric car for dogs.
"By observing Mango's reactions while running at the same speed on the same track but in different vehicles, it became clear that the electric car provided a smoother and more calming experience," veterinarian Scott Miller said of the trial.
Miller believes that the absence of engine noise and gear shifting, as well as the spacious cabin, contribute to a more comfortable experience for dogs in electric cars.
Dog behavior specialist Anna Webb also observed differences in Mango's behavior in the different cars.
"Mango's body language clearly showed his preference for traveling in an electric car, where he lies in the back seat, relaxed, with bloodshot, half-open brown eyes," says Webb.
In the cars with combustion engines, Mango was more tense and restless.
"He turns his head dramatically with rapid, large eye movements and shows the whites of his eyes, which are clear physical signs of stress," Webb explained.
Webb attributes the increased stress in cars with internal combustion engines to the fact that dogs have more sensitive hearing than humans and therefore pick up more sounds from the engine and feel more vibrations.
– It is important to note that the experiment only provides indications of a single dog's reactions, and that Skoda cannot actually know whether electric cars are good for dogs or not.
Fact box: Why Skoda's attempts don't hold water
- Small amount of data: A study with just one dog (Mango) provides a very limited data base. Scientific studies typically require a larger number of participants (both animals and humans) to ensure that the results are statistically significant and not due to chance.
- Lack of control group: In order to draw firm conclusions, the experiment must have a control group. In this case, it would be necessary to compare Mango's reactions with the reactions of a group of other dogs in the same cars. This would give a more accurate picture of whether Mango's preferences are typical of dogs in general.
- Subjective observations: Some of the observations in the experiment, such as the descriptions of Mango's body language, are subjective assessments and may be influenced by the researchers' expectations. It is important to use objective and measurable methods to record animal behavior.
- Potential bias: The trial was conducted by Skoda, which has a commercial interest in promoting electric cars. There is therefore a risk that the trial was designed or interpreted in a way that favors electric cars.
- Individual differences: Dogs are hardly the same, and they react very differently to cars. It is possible that Mango is an unusual dog who has a particular fondness for electric cars. It is not certain that other dogs would react in the same way.
- Lack of scientific peer review: it is stated that veterinarian Scott Miller and dog behavior specialist Anna Webb are commenting on the trial. However, it is not clear from Skoda's press release that the trial has been subject to "peer review". Scientific results are normally assessed by impartial experts to ensure that they are credible and valid. There is no guarantee that this is the case here.
