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0EVs have taken the mobility markets by storm, and many eyeballs are glued to their trajectory. While those with tech inclinations are already in the loop, the rest of the world is still playing catch up. Ease of access is becoming increasingly available and yet – for many charging is not always at their disposal. The term ‘range anxiety’ has garnered much attention too. Range anxiety refers to the fear that an electric vehicle (EV) will run out of battery power before reaching its destination or a charging station. It’s a psychological barrier that can prevent people from buying an EV, especially for long-distance travel.
This article dives into what range anxiety is, whether it’s real, and why charging access needs to be improved fast for a category that’s growing at an unprecedented rate in the mobility sector.
Range Anxiety: The What, Why, and How to Tackle it
An average EV consumer looks for many answers before taking the leap. From what is an electric car to how electric cars work, one works out the introductory questions before hitting the ‘range anxiety’ barrier. Put simply, range anxiety is a phrase that functions as shorthand for a user’s anxiety about their EV not making the distance between two charging points, leaving them stranded. A survey found that 91% of drivers experienced some worries about the range of EVs before owning one and that older generations tend to have more range anxiety than younger ones.[1] Range anxiety can only really be reduced by the proliferation of charging stations and the global markets are gearing up to respond to this demand already. To support an estimated 50 million EVs by 2030, India will need approximately 1.32 million charging stations, necessitating the installation of about 400,000 chargers annually.[2] India’s government has taken the challenge head-on and the country has already seen a ninefold rise in charging stations in the last two years.
Range efficiency is the antidote to range anxiety which can also be bolstered by traveling light, avoiding high speeds, and taking flatter roads. While these are some measures that make an EV more energy-efficient, some brands also offer battery-saver modes that amplify the vehicle’s range.
As Easy as Charging a Phone
The ideal outcome would be that the EV charging infrastructure is made as easy as charging a phone. Not only in the availability of stations but also in the ease of tracking one’s own charging data. Most brands already offer apps and tracking data for charge levels, nearest charging stations, and more information. The form for the charging station is also evolving. Pilot programs are already underway in the US, Germany, and South Korea to test charging pads that one can access in their driveways or parking spots. On the other hand, fast chargers are reducing the hassle of time attached with Ultra-fast chargers (350 kW) already being able to charge an EV to 80% capacity in under 20 minutes, mirroring the convenience of phone charging.
Charge On-the-go
Just as smartphones can be charged at home, work, or any station with a power outlet, EVs need points of access in public as well as private spaces. Especially in highways and other roads that go without easily available pitstops. The market is already working in harmony to respond to this need as globally, workplaces are expected to account for 24% of EV charging by 2030 (BNEF), highlighting the need for seamless infrastructure integration. Smart EV chargers that allow users to charge vehicles during off-peak electricity hours, reducing costs and grid stress are also boosting the EV economy. Collectively, these solutions can offer a potent response to the question: how far can electric bikes go?
In conclusion
With the advent of more efficient vehicles and charging stations, range anxiety will soon be a thing of the past. A key piece of the puzzle is the evolution of the charging mode and technologies like ‘charging pads’ are already underway. Charging stations need to be made available around the country, including public and private spaces, to bolster adoption. As charging the EV becomes as easy as charging a phone, the use of EVs is also likely to become just as common as using a smartphone.
