All over the world, electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular. Electric cars are changing the way we approach energy and refocusing our ideas on how we can continue to improve our world. As electric vehicles continue to evolve, they seem to approve and get better continually. For instance, the range for how far you can drive an EV on one charge has grown from 60 miles to 300 miles with Tesla.
Range Anxiety refers to the nervousness drivers feel when they are low on power in their EV, and they are scared they will run out of energy before they find a charging station.
Everyday companies such as gas stations and grocery stores can figure out how to get more electric vehicle charging stations installed. Individuals can install a charging station in their home to reduce range anxiety, and large vehicle companies can work with stores to get more accessible charging areas.
This article will dive deep into the causes of range anxiety and ways you can combat range anxiety and keep it at bay. Electric vehicles are excellent additions to our lives and can truly make a difference. It will be important in the coming years
What is Range Anxiety?
Range Anxiety EV refers to people having stress or anxiety from driving electric vehicles and not having a place to charge their vehicle. Many people worldwide typically stray away from electric cars because of the stress of looking for a place to charge your vehicle.
If you drive an electric car, you know how anxiety-provoking it can be to be almost out of power and not find a place to charge your vehicle. Electric vehicles are becoming more popular, but there are still so many businesses that have yet to install places to charge electric cars.
With electric cars still being a new thing, electric car owners face the issue of finding a place to charge their vehicles anytime they travel far distances. For this reason, many electric car owners refrain from driving too far or map out their route to hit charging stations.
It is the same scary feeling you get from almost running out of gas on a gas-powered car, a sense of anxiety and nervousness. The same fear comes over electric car owners when they are about to run out of power. Range Anxiety with electric vehicles is a common issue that many people deal with often.
Why is Range Anxiety an issue?
In a recent range anxiety study by Volvo, 58 percent of drivers are scared to drive an electric car because of the fear of running out of juice. These range anxiety statistics show that there are issues in the population that own EVs and those that do not. Another problem they found is that many people are afraid they will not find a charging station for their electric car.
The same range anxiety study showed that many people stray away from electric vehicles besides just the anxiety of running out of juice. One primary reason they often stray away from electric cars is the costs that come with them and the convenience of charging stations.
As more and more car companies start focusing on the future with electric vehicles, one thing will have to change before more and more people buy EVs. One is that there will need to be many charging stations located in everyday places such as grocery stores to be easily accessible. Another issue that will need to be resolved is the electric vehicle’s initial cost that keeps many people from even thinking about buying an electric car.
While EVs become more common, there also needs to be a complete shift in charging stations’ building and infrastructure. Like gas stations, charging stations need to have multiple spots available and a way to give plenty of people the chance to charge their car successfully.
How Long does an EV Charge Last?
The charge for your electric vehicle typically depends on the model of the car you drive. Tesla cars can get up to 300 miles on one full charge versus other standard models that get around 250.
To completely charge your EV that is on or near empty, you will need to charge it for 8 hours. While you are on a road trip, this schedule is nearly impossible. You can also top off your charge or charge it a little bit to make it to your destination.
What Steps can I Take to Manage Range Anxiety?
Range Anxiety is a real issue for many of those that drive electric vehicles, so knowing what steps to take to help minimize range anxiety is essential.
There are multiple steps you can take to work towards getting over range anxiety.
| Pros | Cons | Use | |
| Install Charging Station | ConvenientCan use it anytime you are home. | CostlyIt needs to be professionally installed. | Allows you to charge your vehicle anytime you are home. |
| Map out Charging Stations | PreparedKnow your route | Life throws curveballs,i.e., you could get stuck in traffic. | Allows you to be confident about where to find different charging locations. |
| Buy a Plug-In Hybrid | Convenient plugs into standard plugsIt runs on Gasoline when it runs out of power. | Typically more expensive | Allows you to have a dependable vehicle that can run on power or gasoline. |
| Install a Smart Phone App | It helps you find charging stations all over the country. | May need to pull over to use safely. | Allows you to find charging stations all over the place, quickly and efficiently. |
No matter where you are traveling to next, taking the necessary steps to curb range anxiety is essential. If you install a charging station in your garage, it is recommended to charge your car every night. If you leave your vehicle unplugged, you risk your battery draining and running out of power the next day.
Conclusion
The future of cars seems to be evolving and growing every single day. Electric vehicles are a great addition to our world, and working to put things in place to curb range anxiety will be incredibly important. Companies such as Tesla are already stepping up to the plate to ensure customers have what they need to drive their EVs confidently.
Many electric vehicle drivers have range anxiety because charging stations are not nearly as prevalent as gas stations. As the years go on, there will be a shift to focus more providing what EV drivers need.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you always get nervous about your electric car running out of power, there are some things you can do to help. One is mapping your route and figuring out exactly where charging stations are, and installing a charging station in your garage.
You can take a few steps to ensure you get the most out of your EVs’ power. One is to keep your speed down and don’t waste fuel by going over 60 miles per hour. Another is to keep from blasting the air or heat to conserve energy.
Typically to get your power from empty to full, you should charge your vehicle for eight hours.