What is EV Range Anxiety and How To Avoid It
What is EV Range Anxiety and How To Avoid It
Follow These Tips for Stress-Free EV Driving!
EV range phobia, or “range anxiety”, is the fear that an electric vehicle (EV) won’t have enough battery charge to reach its destination. This anxiety can be particularly prominent when considering long-distance travel, where EV charging points might be few and far between.
Factors that can contribute to range anxiety include:
- Not having enough driving range
- Lack of public infrastructure
- Lack of public fast charging
- Fear of too few charging stations
- Long charge times
- Higher upfront vehicle costs
Range anxiety is still perceived to be one of the greatest barriers preventing fleets from going electric. That being said, there are some easy ways to avoid the worry! Here at Warsaw, we are pleased to guide folks into the world of electric vehicles in a stress-free way. A great start to your EV journey is with plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) ownership. With PHEV’s, such as the Wrangler 4xe, Grand Cherokee 4xe, and Pacifica Hybrid, you’ve always got a gas fuel-source to back you up! Continue reading below to learn more about EV ownership.
Tips to Avoid Electric Vehicle (EV) Range Anxiety:
Range anxiety is the fear that an EV will run out of battery power before reaching its destination or a charging station. This fear is primarily caused by the limited driving range of battery-fueled vehicles. Here are some tips to avoid electric vehicle (EV) range anxiety:
- Driver training: Training drivers can help maximize EV range
- Vehicle maintenance: Keeping vehicles well maintained can help
- Apps: Using EV apps like Zap-Map or ABetterRoutePlanner can help with confidence and peace of mind
- Charging: Charging at home, using apps to track charging stations, and planning ahead can help
- Driving: Driving smoothly, slowing down, and keeping your speed under 60 mph can help
- Public chargers: Public chargers can be key for those who can’t charge at home or at work
- Hybrid vehicles: Hybrid vehicles can be powered by both gas and electricity
- Checking charge: Checking that your EV is fully charged before a long journey can help
What are Some Other Fears About Electric Vehicles
Here are some common fears about electric cars:
- Charging infrastructure: The fear of not enough places to charge, or long charge times
- Higher upfront costs: The initial cost of an electric vehicle can be higher than other vehicles
- Battery issues: Battery degradation, battery recycling and disposal, and battery fires can be concerns
- Cold weather: Electric cars can struggle to perform in cold weather
- Reliability: Some drivers report reliability issues with their electric cars
- Carbon footprint: There are misconceptions about the carbon footprint of electric vehicles
- Safety: There are safety concerns with electric cars
- Insurance and repair costs: Electric vehicles can have higher insurance and repair costs
- Universal charging plug: There is no universal charging plug
Why Buy a Plug-in Hybrid for Your First Electric Car
If you are brand new to the world of EVs, starting off with a plug-in hybrid might be a good option. Here are some of the main advantages of plug-in hybrid cars:
- Fuel efficiency: Plug-in hybrids are fuel efficient in traffic and can be cheap to run for regular commutes
- Zero emissions: Plug-in hybrids have zero emissions when driving on batteries
- Electric motor: The electric motor in plug-in hybrids can provide assistance to the gas engine, saving fuel compared to a gas-only vehicle
- Quick acceleration: Plug-in hybrids can have quick acceleration and great torque in electric mode
- Quiet drive: Plug-in hybrids can have a quiet drive in electric mode
- Less petroleum use: Plug-in hybrids use roughly 30% to 60% less petroleum than conventional vehicles
- Miles per gallon: Plug-in hybrids can have great miles per gallon ratings when electric and gas miles are combined
- Tax efficient: Plug-in hybrids can be tax efficient
- Road trips: Plug-in hybrids can be taken on road trips
- Tax incentive: You might be eligible for a tax incentive for buying a green vehicle
Find Plug-In Hybrid Inventory in Indiana at Warsaw Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Now that you understand exactly what EV range anxiety is, and how you can avoid it, we here at Warsaw invite you to check out our current PHEV inventory. If you are looking for an off-road capable machine, the Wrangler 4xe is for you. Looking for more of a daily-driver, with a touch of luxury, that is still extremely capable? Check out the Grand Cherokee 4xe. And, for those looking for the ultimate fuel-efficient family hauler, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid should be at the top of your list. If you have any questions, please give us a call or stop by!