EV Range Anxiety: What It Is and How to Deal With It

If you’ve never heard of EV range anxiety, you’re not alone.

Electric Car Range Anxiety was relatively unknown. Until now.

The rise in the popularity of electric cars has the potential to reach beyond the automotive industry. Transport accounts for a considerable portion of global emissions and this shift could significantly reduce that.

Is driving your electric vehicle stressing you out? You might have EV range anxiety.  Learn more about what it is and how to cope with it.

For all of the excitement and conversation, electric vehicles made up only 0.2 per cent of passenger vehicles worldwide in 2016, according to the International Energy Agency.

What is EV Range Anxiety?

Range Anxiety or EV Range Anxiety can be described as a constant worrying feeling that your electric vehicle (EV) won’t have enough juice to complete your trip.

This nagging feeling that you won’t make it to the next charging station has plagued users since the first consumer battery-powered vehicles.

While everything else about electric vehicles seems to be great, the plugging them in part is causing issues. It’s similar to stressing about your cellphone battery lasting through the day without a portable charger.

People describe it as a lack of control they don’t feel comfortable with. This feeling is not unwarranted, as limited charging infrastructure has been a real issue.

Along with this, range limitations cause people to distrust their electric car’s mileage abilities.

How Does It Feel?

Close your eyes and imagine this. You’re cruising along in your new electric vehicle, saving money on fuel and doing good for the environment. Everyone is envious of your cutting-edge lifestyle, and life is pretty good.

But then you glance over your dashboard and realise your battery is running pretty low. You pass gas stations knowing they can’t help you. You need juice, and you need it quick. But where will you go?

If you’re in an unfamiliar area, you’re even more stressed out. Will the nearest shopping mall be close enough? And will it also have a charging station? Your battery is now perilously low. Your options are running thin.

It’s a fear that haunts many electric vehicle owners: Where will they charge their car?

Range of Improvements

You’ll be happy to know that these days, electric car makers are improving and expanding EV users experience.

While there are still limited charging options for people who can’t charge their cars at home, investors, automakers and local and state governments have realised that changes need to happen.

For those wanting to travel long distances with their EV, the good news is that many improvements have already happened.

The average range of electric cars has almost doubled in recent years.

A vastly improved range, more charging networks, and new apps to map and locate charging spots are some examples of the way different stakeholders are working together to improve EV range anxiety.

Because of this, range anxiety should begin to fade. Unfortunately, the reality is that many people still feel anxious.

You Can Relax

Research shows that EV range anxiety is still one of the most commonly given reasons for not purchasing an electric car.

As mentioned, EV ranges have improved to a point where one charge a week should be sufficient. Technically, people have no reason to feel as though they won’t make it to their destination. As long as they charge their car every week, their anxiety should decrease.

The average driver’s commute in total per week was worked out at about 265 miles.

This amount includes work, school and pleasure commutes. Electric cars such as the Tesla Model S and the Hyundai Kona Electric can easily cover this distance.

Individual Charging

Car brands adding electric options to their fleets are branching into individual charging stations, as a further method of quelling EV range anxiety.

In the future, charging stations will be evenly divided into public and private. Public stations are the leading option at the moment. They’re the chargers anyone can use at hotels, shopping malls and other locations where people spend a few hours.

Private stations are on the rise. Private stations are located at people’s homes or places of work.

A wide variety of carmakers are adding charging networks, electrifying dealerships and especially creating individual charging networks. Tesla has already added supercharging stations to its global offer as part of its goal to produce a million electric cars by 2025.

Like it, Charge It

There’s a bunch of good reasons for making the electric switch.

Firstly, you’ll avoid the frustration and uncertainty of fluctuating fuel prices, you’ll have a better environmental footprint, and you’ll save money on car maintenance.

The potential savings on car maintenance is one of the leading reasons people choose electric vehicles. Less time and money spent at the mechanic is a definite draw-card.

However, this, of course, doesn’t mean you’ll avoid all maintenance on your EV.

Conducting the necessary maintenance and care of an electric vehicle will also help your peace of mind. Read on to find tips for ensuring you experience the least possible anxiety relating to your electric vehicle.

Motor Maintenance

The motor of your vehicle is one of the most important elements of maintenance.

In most cases, the motor of your EV will need far less maintenance than a tradition combustion engine. Changing the oil and replacing fuel filters are examples of small but frequent maintenance issues that you don’t have to think about.

Fewer parts to worry about also make things much easier to maintain.

But remember, to keep your car in tip-top condition, you should have it serviced once a year by someone with EV experience.

Battery Blues

Battery blues is a tricky one, as it’s tempting to charge your battery each time fully.

The best way of going about this is to attempt to charge the battery to 80%. Fully charging it each time can cause problems for your battery in the long run.

Along with this, be mindful about allowing your car to stand with little or no charge for long periods. Having low charge for prolonged periods is as bad for your EV batteries as overcharging.

If possible, don’t leave your car with a tiny amount of charge for more than two weeks at a time.

Parking Priority

This point also relates to battery health and longevity. If you follow these tips, you’ll ensure the battery of your EV lasts for as long as possible.

Besides, if you take good care of your electric battery, you’ll allow the battery to be re-used. Once the battery isn’t strong enough to power your car, if it’s in good enough condition, it can be re-used providing a variety of environmental benefits.

To keep your battery in great shape, you should try to park in the shade wherever possible. It may come as a surprise to you that parking out of the sun will promote the health and longevity of your battery.

This is because the thermal management system in your car will keep running when you park in the sun. Your battery also runs the risk of overheating. Lastly, it’ll take your battery longer to charge in the heat.

Switch to Electric

If you’re thinking about switching to electric, look no further.

Remember, if you follow the tips mentioned above, you’ll not only benefit the maintenance of your EV, you’ll also help lower your EV range anxiety.

A well-cared-for car will reward you with prime performance and optimum safety. A few other, mindful habits will ensure your EV runs at the desired level.

It’s no surprise that electric vehicle sales are predicted to skyrocket over the next few years. In a few decades, the idea is that all vehicles should be electric.

Because of this, we need to pay attention to the EV range anxiety that people experience. There are ways around this anxiety, especially if you’re aware of the facts.

Please contact us for more information about owning an electric vehicle of your own. We’re more than happy to guide you through the process so that you feel as little EV anxiety as possible.