EMP Strikes and Vehicles: Myth vs. Reality

[Talyn]

EMP discussions often drift into absolutes because absolutes are easy to understand. Like many big concepts, the truth sits somewhere in the middle.

Instead of asking which vehicle survives an EMP, consider asking better questions.

1. How dependent is your travel on infrastructure?
2. What happens if navigation systems disappear?
3. Can you operate your vehicle without electronic assistance?
4. Do you understand the limitations of your fuel or charging system?

Those questions shift the conversation from fear to understanding...

Modern mobility depends on infrastructure. Fuel pumps require power. Traffic signals rely on centralized controls. GPS satellites and cellular networks support navigation and logistics. Payment systems enable refueling, repairs, and everything else you need on the road.

EMP Strikes & Vehicles: Myth vs. Reality

Uncover the real effects of EMP strikes on cars & infrastructure. Dispel myths about why technology system design matters more than age.

skillsetmag.com

 

[Oldmountaiman]

EMP discussions often drift into absolutes because absolutes are easy to understand. Like many big concepts, the truth sits somewhere in the middle.

Instead of asking which vehicle survives an EMP, consider asking better questions.

1. How dependent is your travel on infrastructure?
2. What happens if navigation systems disappear?
3. Can you operate your vehicle without electronic assistance?
4. Do you understand the limitations of your fuel or charging system?

Those questions shift the conversation from fear to understanding...

Modern mobility depends on infrastructure. Fuel pumps require power. Traffic signals rely on centralized controls. GPS satellites and cellular networks support navigation and logistics. Payment systems enable refueling, repairs, and everything else you need on the road.

EMP Strikes & Vehicles: Myth vs. Reality

Uncover the real effects of EMP strikes on cars & infrastructure. Dispel myths about why technology system design matters more than age.

skillsetmag.com

View attachment 106087

Agreed as time does not mean exempt that's why I have a sling shot,bow and arrow and a mule. Back in the forties tornadoes disabled a lot of cars for a short time because the vacuum advance would not work until after the storm passed. That's also what made windshield wipers work a lot slower when going up hill. Oh yeah smoke signals failed during the storms. Some times real old things work better but storms can still screw things up and Murphy's law always survives.

 

[Shibadog]

Given that darn few folks today can even READ a map…..if just the gps fails most couldn’t find there way home. I strongly suspect you could take 80+% of the population, drop them alone in the woods 10 miles from a paved road in any direction with a .22, a box of ammo, a knife, a fire starter and a piece of fishing line and a hook and very few would ever make it out alive.

 

[Oldmountaiman]

Given that darn few folks today can even READ a map…..if just the gps fails most couldn’t find there way home. I strongly suspect you could take 80+% of the population, drop them alone in the woods 10 miles from a paved road in any direction with a .22, a box of ammo, a knife, a fire starter and a piece of fishing line and a hook and very few would ever make it out alive.

Your taken bout the good life but I still have my hog leg and LC ammo

 

[Anchorite]

Given that darn few folks today can even READ a map…..if just the gps fails most couldn’t find there way home. I strongly suspect you could take 80+% of the population, drop them alone in the woods 10 miles from a paved road in any direction with a .22, a box of ammo, a knife, a fire starter and a piece of fishing line and a hook and very few would ever make it out alive.

So true.

I still keep paper maps around, and charts for the boat.

 

[Grayfox]

I think it will depend entirely on the strength and duration of the event. A relatively short, weak EMP may do little or no damage. However a powerful, long duration event could fry everything. Most likely, if we get hit, it'll be somewhere in the middle.
Older cars aren't necessarily immune. A strong enough EMP could burn out the ignition coil and leave you stranded.
In 1859 Earth experienced what has become know as the Carrington Event. The strongest geomagnetic storm ever to hit the Earth. At that time, the only electricity in common use was the telegraph. However, there were many reports of wires catching fire and the early liquid cell batteries that powered the system either caught fire or exploded.

 

[Biggfoot44]

1. It depends
2.Navigation systems ? Dead tree maps , and a sense of direction.
3. Of course ! All that electronic crap is pia , and a distrsction .
4. Non functioning gas pumps would be an issue , but mechanical fuel pumps on your vehicle would be unaffected .