With multiple studies repeatedly showing that drivers suffer from range anxiety we decided to conduct our own research to see what your views are. We found that range anxiety is still very real with 49% of respondents reporting that they had concerns over the range of electric cars. But how concerned should you be and is range anxiety just one of many electric car myths that have stuck?
What is range anxiety?
Range anxiety is the fear that a vehicle does not have enough fuel or battery life to cover long distances. It is associated mostly with electric vehicles and is one of the most prominent reasons people are concerned about going fully electric.
How far can an electric car travel?
The first way to address these fears is to take a look at the range these cars can go. On a single charge, the average electric car can achieve 193 miles, in the summer this increases to 222, and when winter hits this range drops to 164 miles
Which electric cars have the biggest range?
The Citroen C-Zero will trigger range anxiety in all of us achieving just 53 miles on average, but which cars achieve the best distance on a single charge? We’ve counted down the top 10 longest range cars which included a new release in 2022 that goes straight in at number 2.
Trips you should be able to accomplish in the 193 average range capacity of an electric vehicle.
- Newcastle upon Tyne to Dundee (188 miles) 97%
- Swansea to Plymouth (187 miles) 97%
- Glasgow to Inverness (168 miles) 87%
- Sheffield to Norwich (155 miles) 80%
- Liverpool to Northampton (149 miles) 77%
- London to Birmingham (126 Miles) 65%
How far can an electric car travel?
The first way to address these fears is to take a look at the range these cars can go. In a single charge, the average electric car can achieve 193 miles, in the summer this increases to 222, when winter hits this range drops to 164 miles.
Trips you should be able to accomplish in the 193 average range capacity of an electric vehicle.
- Newcastle upon Tyne to Dundee (188 miles)
- Swansea to Plymouth (187 miles)
- Glasgow to Inverness (168 miles)
- Sheffield to Norwich (155 miles)
- Liverpool to Northampton (149 miles)
- London to Birmingham (126 Miles)
Which electric cars have the biggest range?
Tesla currently takes up the top 6 spots for long-range electric cars. The Tesla Model S Long Range tops the chart with a very impressive 370 miles in summer and averaging 275 all year round in the UK.
In contrast, the Citroen C-Zero will trigger range anxiety in all of us achieving just 53 miles on average.
Do electric cars lose range over time?
They do, as the battery ages the range capacity is reduced. This is mainly because time is not kind to a lithium-ion battery. Tesla revealed their battery capacity degradation chart which showed that in their experience a battery’s capacity degrades the fastest at the beginning of its life with roughly 5% gone by around 25,000 miles. The good news is, however, after this point it becomes a lot more stable with Tesla Model S and X still having 85% of initial battery capacity left past the 150,000-mile mark.
How easy is it to charge an EV?
For a petrol and diesel car, you drive to the cheapest local fuelling station and pay at the pump to fill your tank. Electric cars are a bit different with a few ways to charge your vehicle. Firstly, there are charging service stations you can use. You can also opt to charge your car at a public charging point typically attached to parking bays. Finally, the most common route is to charge at home. If you have a Tesla you can also use their Supercharger Network.
The ability to charge at home, work, car parks, and service stations is super convenient. However, outside of built-up urban areas, it can be much harder to locate a public place to recharge. The infrastructure is benefitting from rapid growth however, the Government now requires all new homes, supermarkets, workplaces, and other commercial spaces to be built with EV charging points.
Find out more: Best electric cars on the market.
Is range anxiety the biggest worry regarding electric cars?
When we asked our customers what their biggest concerns regarding electric cars were, the range and battery life did not top our poll. In fact, the initial cost to buy an EV is the biggest concern, with over 80% of respondents worried. This was followed by high electricity bills, which households up and down the country are already feeling the pressure of and that is before the introduction of an electric car into their household.
That said, mileage capacity, battery life, and availability of charging points are all very real worries and are enough to put many off buying an electric car altogether. But are these concerns warranted?
Is anxiety over the range of a vehicle enough to put you off?
When we asked our customers would they consider an electric car for their next vehicle, 41% told us they would not, with a further 28% on the fence. It’s clear that the lack of range of many electric cars is making people hesitate, but the cost aspects seem to be a bigger concern. Also, for those that live in flats, there are real apprehensions over whether it’d be even possible to charge their car at all.
Many people are very much on board with the idea of an EV. Zero emissions are still the biggest influence of goodwill and almost everyone can get on board with the health and environmental improvements. People also seem to be inspired by the innovative tech included and the unique driving experience luxury EVs offer. The consensus seems to be we’re just not ready. Until the infrastructure is in place and costs come down, electric cars may struggle to become mainstream.
Are hybrids the solution?
It appears hybrids may just be with only 25% of our survey respondents preferring an electric car over a hybrid. A plug-in hybrid car is often touted as the perfect solution for people interested in an EV but is concerned about the range of an electric car.
Check out our list of the best hybrid cars.
Related: Should I buy an electric car?