From Worrier to Warrior: Coping With Range Anxiety in the Electric Era

Many current and future EV car owners suffer from range anxiety, and are afraid they could be left stranded in the middle of their trip. The premise of electric driving can make many drivers nervous. EV charging hubs are not quite as common and visible on the driving landscape as gas stations. According to EVbox’s research, 43 percent of EV owners feel uncertain when it comes to coping with range anxiety in the electric era. 

Coping With Range Anxiety in the Electric Era 

This fear of running out of juice has proven to be a leading roadblock to EV adoption. Both psychological and actual range stats are factors here. The entire experience of owning an EV is quite different. Charging your car will always take up more of your valuable time than filling your tank. Even the quickest form of EV charging will take up at least 15 minutes. 

Working the Necessary Charge Time Into a Daily Regimen:

Instead of only needing to refuel at a gas station every week or so, EV charging can be accomplished a bit at a time. While you recoup at home, go to the grocery store, or enjoy a night out to eat, you’ll notice opportunities arising. Many gas stations are already investing in fast chargers to help curb range anxiety.

This is an excellent opportunity for fuel retailers to upsell their existing services while offering the eco-friendly juice of the future. One interesting statistic that is relevant to range anxiety is “average time parked.” Did you know that most cars spend more than 23 hours per day parked? One of the best ways to combat range anxiety is to take care of charging during inactive intervals. 

Widely Available Stations for Instrumental Growth: 

Most drivers make the switch to EVs to embrace sustainability. There are currently over 26 million electric cars on the road worldwide. This number is predicted to grow to over 240 million within the next 7 years. Most charging will still take place at home, but public stations will remain crucial to growth. By 2022, around 2.7 million public charging stations were operating worldwide.

By 2030, this number is estimated to reach over 13 million. The Nissan Leaf was the world’s first mass-market electric car. Its range resided at just 109 miles, with today’s average number existing at around double that. Some awesome new vehicles such as the Blazer RS boast over 300 miles of range. One of the factors that leads to range anxiety is the driver’s consistent awareness of this number. 

Remain Firmly Planted Regarding Daily Needs:

An average driver in the U.S., an average motorist puts around 37 miles a day on their car. Based on these findings, even the earlier-model Nissan Leaf would be sufficient. When it’s time for a longer-haul journey, fast charging is very attractive. With an average EV of today sporting a 217-mile range, about 3 hours of highway driving would drain your charge.

During a long trip, it’s common to want to get a stretch in, or a quick bite to eat. Many travel planning and roadside experts recommend taking a 15-minute break every two hours. Taking a short breather to top off your EV could be very beneficial for combatting range anxiety. It’s also worthwhile to take note that fast-charging structure will be drastically improved over the next couple of years. 

Beyond the Battery: Addressing the Psychological Aspect of Range Anxiety

Range anxiety may stem from the fear of change itself. For many years, drivers relied on combustion engines to reach their destinations and let loose on the weekends. Any kind of habit that has been perpetuated for years is hard to break. Many drivers seemed to get anxious about EVs just because it was a common and “easy-target” bandwagon.

“Charge Anxiety” is the feeling of uncertainty or negativity around accessing or using a charge point. There are fears of very long que times at charging points, or even unreliable hardware. One of the signature causes of range anxiety is arriving at a charging destination and finding it occupied. As part of a Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, the US government is constructing an extensive charging network. 

Conquering Range Anxiety one Plug at a Time:

Some pretty cool apps that are doing their part to combat range anxiety. Zap-Map and A Better Route Planner can give you more confidence and much-needed peace of mind. These apps access your location and provide charging points, along with in-depth battery and cost estimates. One of the easiest tips to help combat range anxiety is to try to charge overnight as much as possible.

There are many ways to “Pay it forward” when it comes to charging etiquette. One of the easiest yet beneficial tips is to call in any charge points you see that aren’t working. Many charge station problems just require a simple tweak or repair and will be up again within minutes. Another common strategy is to rent a gasoline vehicle for a road trip which may induce anxiety.

From Hesitation to Acceleration: EV Range Anxiety’s Conclusion

For anyone “diving into the deep end” of the EV pool, EVs can prove to be a bit aggravating when charge time comes. Most times they are not, and Level 2 charging stations at various properties are bound to help. Adequate power needed for daily commutes and beyond will become a priority for many building owners nationwide. 

What are your experiences with range anxiety? Does staying properly juiced up not seem like an issue? Or, does the possibility of winding up on the side of the road terrify you? Let us know in the comments below, or check out another article about questions to ask yourself before buying an electric vehicle.