How to Overcome EV Range Anxiety
Range anxiety is a very real problem for EV owners. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, range anxiety is the feeling an EV owner experiences when their EV is low on power and there isn’t a charging station readily available. While it’s not a problem that affects all EV owners, it’s one that many do experience.
Primarily, a lack of charging stations is to blame. However, a change in routine can result in EV range anxiety too. For example, say an EV owner doesn’t fully charge their EV. Depending on what they plan on doing that day, they may need to unexpectedly charge their EV. If there isn’t a readily available charging station, they may find themselves experiencing a bout of range anxiety.
Here are some ways to cure range anxiety
- Start with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) rather than a full EV
- Enroll with a reputable charging network
- Form good EV charging habits
Buy a plug-in hybrid
One of the ways to avoid range anxiety is to skip buying a full EV and, instead, buy a new plug-in hybrid, or PHEV.
According to Mazda‘s resource page on PHEVs, most plug-in hybrids deliver 15-60 miles of electric range before switching to its gas engine. For example, the CX-90 PHEV will go about 26 miles on its battery charge before switching to the gas engine. The gas engine will take you an additional 464 miles.
There are plenty of new plug-in hybrids on the market today, including the Hyundai Ioniq and the Toyota Prius Prime.
Join a national charging network
For those who already own an EV, trading it in for a plug-in hybrid might not be an option. The good news is that’s not the only way to cure EV range anxiety. Rather than making a trade, EV owners should also consider joining a national charging network.
EV owners can also find charging stations near them by simply using Google Maps. First, enter an address or entity near you into Google Maps. Next, select ‘Nearby’ below the address that you entered. Then, search ‘EV charging stations.’ Google Maps will then show nearby charging stations.
The benefits of good EV charging habits
Good charging habits can also help EV owners overcome range anxiety. In fact, according to data gathered by J.D. Power, The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy estimates more than 80% of EV charging happens overnight at home. Therefore, EV owners should get into the routine of charging their cars every night before bed to overcome range anxiety further.
Range anxiety is a real problem for many EV owners. Still, there are ways to combat it, primarily through proper planning and forethought.
