New study confirms that people over-amplify electric car range anxiety

When it comes to electric vehicles, the word "range anxiety" is always around. Range anxiety is used to describe how electric vehicle drivers feel when their batteries are low and they can't recharge their cars. It triggers a panic of being stuck somewhere. , which adds time, inconvenience and stress to the journey.

To explain it with the ridicule of netizens, it is possible for an electric car to become a savage after driving a long distance.

So, what is the actual situation?

Believe it or not, the arrival of the electric vehicle era is unstoppable.

However, even today when the cruising range of electric vehicles is as high as 800 kilometers, range anxiety is still a hot topic. It is a subjective psychological activity of drivers. Recently, research analysis shows that the range anxiety of electric vehicles is excessively magnified by people. .

A research team from the Technische Universität Chemnitz unit in Germany has published an interesting study in the academic journal "Hum Factors" putting a practical test on electric vehicle range anxiety.

They recruited 24 volunteers, of which 12 had relatively rich electric vehicle driving experience (with a mileage of at least 60,500 kilometers), and the other 12 had never driven an electric vehicle.

They had all drivers drive an electric vehicle with a range less than the distance of the intended trip, and then assessed driver anxiety at different levels (cognitive, emotional, and behavioral).

It was found that drivers without EV driving experience were prematurely anxious and most panicked when told the car had less range than the distance to the destination, while experienced drivers showed less in the trip. Range anxiety, indicating that having electric vehicle driving experience can help reduce range anxiety. People who have no driving experience and are not familiar with electric vehicles are more likely to have range anxiety.

The number of people involved in this study is relatively small, and some people may think that the error is large and does not explain anything.

Let’s take a look at what the experts’ statistical analysis has to say. Chris Harto, senior policy analyst at Consumer Reports, after analyzing numerous data, believes that 250 (402 kilometers) to 300 miles (483 kilometers) is the best option for most consumers, and most consumers are able to use this range. of electric vehicles do all of their daily driving, and the typical EV driver only needs to charge them once or twice a week.

He also said that even if it is a long-distance drive, few people are willing to drive for 6 or 7 hours in a row, and they can charge while taking a break. Therefore, the mileage indicator is an option that has nothing to do with daily driving needs, and drivers with rich driving experience. Know how to plan your own route and avoid anxiety.

In addition, people are not willing to accept the blind pursuit of cruising range, increase the weight of the battery and increase the cost, and the large load of the car affects the driving experience.