Are you an electric vehicle (EV) driver who often worries about running out of battery? If yes, you are suffering from range anxiety. The good news is that it is curable!
Range anxiety refers to the fear or concern that an EV driver may run out of battery power before reaching the destination or a charging station. It can often be a barrier that can also prevent some people from considering EVs as a viable alternative to conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
This anxiety is a common concern, particularly among potential EV buyers who frequently drive long distances or live in areas with limited charging infrastructure. The apprehension is primarily due to the limited range of EVs in comparison to ICE vehicles and the ongoing development of charging infrastructure. However, as the range of EVs has increased and more charging stations have been installed, range anxiety has become less of an issue for many drivers.
Why do EV drivers get range anxiety?
Battery range limitations
EVs rely on large lithium-ion batteries to power an electric motor. The range of an EV, or how far it can travel on a single charge, varies widely among models. While many modern EVs offer impressive ranges, they are still limited compared to the long distances that can be covered by conventional ICE vehicles on a full tank of gasoline. Based on the battery capacity of an electric car, you can drive between 200 and 490 kilometers with one full charge.
Lack of charging infrastructure
Another main cause of range anxiety is the perceived lack of charging infrastructure. EV owners need convenient and accessible charging stations to ensure they can charge their vehicles when needed. In areas with insufficient charging infrastructure, range anxiety is more likely to occur.
Environmental factors: Environmental factors, such as extreme cold or hot weather, also impact range anxiety. These conditions can affect a battery's performance and range, making it challenging to predict how far an EV can travel under adverse conditions. According to studies, the range loss during the winter in comparison to the summer depends on the EV models. For instance, some EVs lose as little as 3% of their driving range, while others see it fall by nearly a third.
Range estimation accuracy
The accuracy of the vehicle's range estimation can vary, which can contribute to anxiety. Factors like driving style, terrain, and climate can affect an EV's real-world range, and if the estimate is not reliable, it can increase anxiety.
How can range anxiety be addressed?
Overcoming this anxiety involves improvements in technology, charging infrastructure expansion, and public education to help people better understand the capabilities of EVs and reduce their fear of running out of power.
Charging infrastructure
By the end of 2022, there were roughly 535,700 public charging stations for electric vehicles in Europe, (including Turkey), according to Statista. The numbers also include GreenFlux’s extensive EV roaming network of 509,000 charge points. With such a vast charging network across Europe and the ease of finding the same on our driver app Charge Assist, there are high chances of EV drivers in Europe not having range anxiety.
Education and experience
Over time, as people become more familiar with EVs and their capabilities, they may develop a better understanding of how to plan their trips, manage their range, and cope with any range anxiety they might feel. Plus, many EVs these days are equipped with the latest technology that provides all the information EV drivers need, such as the location of charge stations and range estimations, among other valuable features.
Reality check
According to the latest research by the UK’s largest motoring organisation, AA, there has been more than a remarkable 70% drop in the proportion of EVs running out of charge. Plus, for a real-life example, GreenFlux Sales Director Jorrit Berkhout travelled more than 4,000 km from the Netherlands to Lithuania in his fully electric car without suffering from range anxiety.
To address range anxiety, EV manufacturers are working on improving battery technology to provide longer driving ranges. Many EVs are now equipped with features like real-time battery monitoring and route planning that can help drivers manage their range more effectively. Additionally, governments and private companies are investing in expanding more charging infrastructure to accelerate EV adoption and contribute to the transition to sustainable mobility.
GreenFlux helps CPOs and EMSPs manage thousands of charge point locations and tokens in their own unique way. Plus, through our roaming solutions, we make the vast eMobility landscape feel familiar and accessible. With our extensive coverage of over 509,000 charge points, your customers will forget what range anxiety is or ever was!
