Range Anxiety: what it is and how to overcome it

Range anxiety is one of the reasons some car buyers may be reluctant to switch to an electric car. Will an electric vehicle travel far enough on each charge? Is electric vehicle range anxiety something car buyers should still worry about? Have improvements in battery technology and charging infrastructure made range anxiety a thing of the past? We’ll answer these questions and more.

What is range anxiety

So, what is range anxiety, exactly? Range anxiety is the worry that an electric car won’t travel far enough on a charge. Many buyers also worry about finding somewhere to reliably top-up the batteries on longer journeys.

Is EV range anxiety a thing of the past?

Maybe it’s not a thing of the past entirely, but it’s much less of a concern that it used to be. For one thing, real-world ranges of well over 200 miles are now common. Some electric cars can travel more than 300 miles on a charge. For another, the public charging network has improved, with more chargers and faster charging speeds. Many EVs can now charge from around 10-80% in half an hour or so.

What factors affect the range of an electric vehicle?

There are many factors which affect the range of an electric car. If you know what they are, you can maximise your car’s range, although not all are within the driver’s control.

Driving style

Many electric cars are quick to accelerate, but don’t expect to come close to the official range figures if you use all the performance. A gentle and smooth driving style can make a big difference to the range. Go easy on the throttle and stay within the speed limit.

Weather conditions

Electric cars don’t like cold weather. When the temperature drops, so does the range. Charging a cold battery also takes longer. There’s not a lot you can do about the weather, but if you are flexible about when you travel, waiting a couple of hours for the day to warm up can make a difference to how far your car will travel on a charge.

Battery capacity and health

Look after your battery. That means only charging to 80 percent unless you intend to use every last mile of range. You should also use ultra-rapid chargers sparingly, as the battery will remain healthier for longer if it is recharged slowly. The capacity will steadily reduce over time, but these precautions will keep the battery healthy for many years. The healthier the battery, the longer the range.

Set regenerative braking to the maximum

Electric cars recapture energy that would otherwise be lost when slowing down. This is called regenerative braking. In most EVs, the level of regenerative braking can be adjusted to suit the driver’s preference. Some models are even capable of one-pedal driving, with strong enough regenerative braking to make the brake pedal almost redundant. Set the regen to the maximum setting to capture as much energy as possible, maximising range and minimising range anxiety.

Turn off air conditioning

We’re not suggesting you roast on a hot summer’s day. But next time you are behind the wheel of an EV, switch off the air conditioning and watch the car’s range improve. So, on a mild day when you don’t really need it, turn off the air conditioning to decrease your range anxiety. Other power-hungry features like heated seats can also eat into your range, so leave them switched off.

How to overcome range anxiety of electric cars

You can overcome range anxiety, and it won’t need months of expensive therapy. Just follow some simple tips.

Planning ahead

Think about where you are going, which route you will take, and where you will charge. For example, when travelling from London to Devon an EV driver might take the A303 or the M4 and M5. In clear traffic the average speed will be higher if you take the motorway route, but following the A303 is more direct. A lower mileage at a lower average speed will preserve more range. Always start a long journey with a battery that’s at 80%, or even fully charged. That way you’ll go further using more affordable energy from your home charging point before you must stop and pay the high price of public charging.

If you know you will have to stop, plan where you will recharge – a hub with several charging points is always a better bet than a single charger that may be in use when you arrive.

Using advanced navigation systems

You can take a lot of the effort out of route planning with an advanced navigation system. These will plot a route taking into account the state of charge at the beginning of the journey and the distance to your destination. Any good EV route planner will suggest charging points and will build them into the route, designing an efficient journey, free of EV range anxiety.

Charging while you’re parked up

Every time you stop is an opportunity to top up the batteries. Many car parks, supermarkets, and tourist attractions now have electric car charging bays. You can add to your car’s range while you are shopping or enjoying a film at the cinema with no need for a special trip to find a charger.

Installing a home charger

It’s possible to own an EV without having somewhere to charge it at home. However, installing a home charging station will reduce your running costs and helps with range anxiety.

You can start any long journey with a full charge if you instal a home charging point, and the cost of electricity will be lower at home than at most public charging stations.

Driving efficiently

Set regenerative braking to the max. Go easy on the throttle. Drive at the speed limit, or even a little lower. Switch off the air con. These small changes can help reduce your EV range anxiety.

Range Anxiety FAQs

What is range anxiety in EV?

Range anxiety is the worry that an EV doesn’t have enough range, or may not complete a journey on a full charge.

Is range anxiety real?

Well, range anxiety may be real, but it’s less and less important. The range of a typical EV keeps on improving, and the public charging network may not be perfect but it’s much better than it used to be.

How many people have range anxiety?

It’s still something that bothers potential buyers. One recent survey by a charging company found that nearly four in ten future EV owners have high levels of range anxiety.

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