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Large swaths of America are still plagued by range anxiety. For many in rural areas, EV life just isn’t a reality yet. However, many in urban areas have much better access to EV infrastructure. That’s why the Porsche Taycan Turbo S and its 202 miles of electric range shouldn’t worry the vast majority of Porsche’s customers.

Honestly, should we really even be worried about range anxiety anymore?

The Porsche Taycan Turbo S is fully electric without Tesla range

A black Porsche Taycan Turbo S on a London street shot from the front 3/4
The Taycan definitely has Porsche looks | Martyn Lucy via Getty Images

Many a journalist has made the case for a Porsche Taycan Turbo S over a Tesla Model S Plaid. It’s easy to see why. The two are just about the closest competitors the luxury EV segment has seen thus far. That is until the 500+ mile Lucid Air came into the picture. While the Porsche is better dynamically, it can’t match either in terms of range. However, it should be noted that Porsche does offer a Performance Battery Plus upgrade, bringing range up to 278 miles.

However, the Tesla Model S Plaid has a range of 348 miles, and we already know Lucid won the range war. Heck, both could get faster than the Taycan Turbo S any day of the week if they so pleased. The real appeal behind the Taycan is the Porsche badge and engineering. In short: the Taycan’s range is perceived as a weak point, but it’ll do exactly what it says on the box. The Porsche Taycan Turbo S is a known quantity.

Should you even have range anxiety anymore?

A black Taycan charging on the street shot from the front
Charging the Taycan | Martyn Lucy via Getty Images

What isn’t a known quantity is life with an EV. It’s a big step for many Americans, nearly all of whom grew up spending time at gas stations, with stops for more driving range taking only a small handful of minutes. That’s exactly why people decry the Porsche Taycan Turbo S for its “poor” range. But should we really be all that worried?

Again, those in rural America need not concern themselves, as EV infrastructure hasn’t bled into the far corners of the country. Those folks, nice as they may be, aren’t Porsche’s market for the Taycan. Porsche wants wealthy buyers in big cities. And big cities have charging infrastructure. No, you won’t always be able to find an 800kw fast charger. However, with 200 or so miles of range, you’ll really only need to do that once a week on the commute. And that’s if charging at home isn’t an option.

The Taycan outsells the 911

A black Porsche Taycan Turbo S shot in profile while parked on a London curb
Outselling the 911 is no easy feat | Martyn Lucy via Getty Images

Clearly, a large portion of Taycan buyers recognize this. Stuttgart can’t keep turning out the Porsche Taycan Turbo S fast enough. The Taycan outsells the 911 for Christ’s sake! If Porsche’s wealthier Taycan buyers aren’t worried about the “poor” range, then neither should other Americans. Range anxiety shouldn’t be what’s keeping buyers out of EVs. However, it is for now, and whether that changes falls on the shoulders of America’s charging infrastructure.

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