In a grid-down emergency, your vehicle may be your lifeline. But in the event of an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP), most modern vehicles could stop working altogether.
Understanding the risks and taking steps now can help ensure you’re not stranded when mobility matters most.
What Is an EMP?
An EMP is a powerful burst of electromagnetic energy. It can come from:
- Solar flares (CME) – large-scale natural events from the sun
- High-altitude nuclear detonations – designed specifically to disable electronics
- Specialized non-nuclear EMP weapons – increasingly plausible in asymmetric warfare
When strong enough, EMPs can fry sensitive electronics in vehicles, especially those built after the 1980s with electronic ignition, ECUs, and other computer-controlled systems.
Why Protect Your Vehicle?
In a regional or national emergency, a working vehicle means:
- Evacuation capability
- Access to medical care or supplies
- Transporting family or neighbors to safety
- Avoiding foot travel through dangerous or unpredictable environments
Without it, you’re limited to what you can carry and where you can walk.
What Vehicles Are Most at Risk?
- Newer vehicles (1986–present): Integrated circuits, computer-controlled everything. Vulnerable.
- Older vehicles (pre-1980s): Carbureted engines and analog systems make them far more resilient.
- Diesel vehicles without electronic fuel injection: Especially promising for EMP survival.
What You Can Do
1. Use an Older Vehicle as a Backup
- Keep a simple, pre-electronic ignition vehicle as a secondary option.
- Maintain it in working order. Even if it’s not your daily driver, rotate fuel, check tires, and keep the battery charged.
2. Store Critical Spare Parts
Modern cars may not survive an EMP, but if you’ve pre-positioned spare parts, some failures can be fixed.
Recommended spares to store safely:
- ECM (Engine Control Module)
- Ignition module or coil packs
- Alternator or voltage regulator
- Fuses, relays, and spare sensors
- Diagnostic tool and basic repair manual
Important: Store these inside a proper Faraday container.
3. Build a DIY Faraday Container
A Faraday container blocks external electromagnetic fields, keeping electronics inside safe.
How to build one:
- Use a clean metal trash can with a tight-fitting lid (steel or aluminum).
- Line the interior with cardboard, foam, or a rubber mat so stored items don’t touch the metal.
- Seal the lid with conductive aluminum tape for extra protection.
- Store your spare vehicle electronics—and even a spare handheld radio or solar charger—inside.
Do NOT ground the can, that’s for lightning, not EMP protection.
4. Know Your Vehicle’s Vulnerable Systems
Take time to learn where these components live in your vehicle:
- ECM location
- Ignition system layout
- Fuse box and relays
- Fuel injection vs. carburetor
Being able to replace components quickly is half the battle if repairs are possible.
5. Avoid Common Myths
MYTH: Disconnecting the battery protects your car from EMP.
- FALSE. While it might help during a lightning strike, the circuits are still exposed.
MYTH: Surge protectors can block EMPs.
- FALSE. Automotive surge protectors can block minor voltage spikes, but they’re not rated for the power of a true EMP event.
What If You’re Driving During an EMP?
- Expect the vehicle to stall abruptly.
- Power steering and brakes may fail instantly.
- Your dashboard electronics could go dark.
Safely coast to a stop if possible. There’s no guarantee you’ll be able to restart the vehicle unless it was lightly affected or protected.
Travel After an EMP Event
- Roads will be littered with disabled vehicles.
- Major highways could be impassable.
- GPS and navigation may be unreliable.
Map knowledge is critical. Keep a printed map and know alternate backroads, trails, and local geography. Urban routes will clog first.
Long-Term Strategy
- Learn basic auto repair: You may have to install replacement components yourself.
- Rotate spare fuel: Fuel degrades. Keep stabilized gas or diesel on hand and rotate every few months.
- Train your family: Make sure they know how to safely exit a disabled vehicle and how to navigate back home.
Final Thoughts
An EMP could disable the grid, communications, and vehicles, without warning. But preparing now gives you a serious edge.
- Use an older vehicle or store critical spares.
- Build a proper Faraday container.
- Learn how your vehicle works and how to fix it.
Mobility is freedom. Protect it.