How to Overcome EV Range Anxiety
What is Range Anxiety?
The term “range anxiety” is in reference to fears or concerns about an electric vehicle running out of energy on the way to a given destination. It also relates to fears of not being able to locate a charging station before electric power in the EV’s battery runs out, leaving drivers stranded on the side of the road. Psychologically, these concerns and worries that surround the range of an EV give many buyers pause when they’re thinking about making the switch to an electric vehicle. While manufacturers continue to push the limits of battery capacity and charging infrastructure, range anxiety ranks among the top reasons why shoppers delay or decline to purchase an electric vehicle instead of a conventional model.
Tips for Eliminating Range Anxiety
Know Your Vehicle’s Range
Most drivers are familiar with how a fuel gauge works inside a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle. Once you fill your tank, you have a general idea of how many miles your vehicle will be able to travel on a full tank of gas. You can apply this same logic to an electric vehicle as well! Manufacturers specify an EVs estimated driving range along with its estimated fuel economy (known as MPGe) to help you effectively plan your driving. You wouldn’t attempt to drive across the state with only a quarter tank of fuel in a gas-powered vehicle, right? Similarly, you shouldn’t attempt to make that same journey with an EV that’s only received a quarter of a charge. Using some basic common sense and planning ahead are two great ways to eliminate range anxiety.
Plan Your Trips
Knowing exactly what to expect before hitting the road is a great way to feel confident behind the wheel. Before you head out for your next adventure, take some time to research available charging stations and plan your route ahead of time. Having a plan for when and where to stop and charge your vehicle can alleviate many potential worries. Better still, many of today’s EVs have sophisticated onboard route planning technologies and mobile apps that can make this process easier than ever before. The EV charging infrastructure continues to grow at a rapid pace all across the country, providing plenty of reassurance that you’ll have options to stop and recharge.
Drive Efficiently
It’s easy to understand the concept of driving efficiently in a gas-powered vehicle. Using aggressive acceleration, heavy braking, and running the air conditioning with the windows down are just three examples of factors that can harm your MPG. This same concept applies to electric vehicles as well! Using less of your right foot, driving smoothly, and minimizing your use of electrical features can help stretch your driving range further. Advanced features of today’s EVs can predict battery usage and provide you with plenty of helpful advice and suggestions for getting every mile out of a single battery charge.
Shop Electric Vehicles at the Germain Motor Company
The Germain Motor Company is proud to offer our customers the latest selection of some of the most popular electric vehicles in the industry. We cordially invite you to come experience firsthand all that these remarkable EVs have to offer in terms of performance and efficiency. You can also browse our wide selection of EV buying guides and comparisons to help you choose the one that’s perfect for your lifestyle. Come join the all-electric revolution today!