The Great EV Range Anxiety Debate: Is It All in Our Heads?
Despite the rapid expansion of fast EV chargers across the US, a significant portion of Americans still hesitate to make the switch to electric vehicles. But is this worry justified, or is it a perception that needs busting?
For most Americans, the days of worrying about finding chargers for their electric vehicles are becoming a thing of the past. Yet, this concern persists as a major barrier for potential buyers, second only to the initial cost.
The Associated Press, in collaboration with NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, reveals an interesting insight: about 40% of US adults still cite range and charging time as significant reasons against buying an EV. This is despite the fact that only around 20% of Americans say they are very likely to purchase a new or used electric vehicle.
Daphne Dixon, a clean transportation advocate, has been on a mission to change this perception. She’s taken annual coast-to-coast road trips in an EV since 2022, documenting her charging experiences along the way. Dixon believes that “range anxiety is stuck in people’s heads,” even as the price gap between gas and electric cars narrows and more chargers become available.
“A lot of people fear there aren’t enough chargers, but they’re not seeing the daily installations,” she says. And she’s right; the infrastructure is rapidly catching up.
Take Interstate 80, the longest American interstate, for example. A driver will rarely find themselves more than 10 miles (16 kilometers) away from a fast charger, from New York City to Des Moines. While coverage is less consistent in the West, the miles on I-80 covered by fast chargers have increased by an impressive 44% since 2021.
The same trend is evident on other major roads. Nearly 70% of the combined length of the 10 longest interstates is now within 10 miles of a fast charger, a significant improvement from just 50% five years ago.
Fast chargers are crucial for EV adoption because they can refill a fully electric vehicle in as little as 20 minutes to an hour, compared to home chargers which often take 4 to 10 hours. This rapid charging capability is a game-changer for long-distance travel.
However, in rural areas like Dixon’s home state of Connecticut, charging infrastructure is still lacking. On a scenic drive along Route 7, fast chargers are scarce, a concern shared by many drivers. In Kent, a town about 50 miles north of Norwalk, the only plug is an outdated, non-functional machine at the town hall.
But change is on the horizon. The state government plans to use federal funds to install eight fast-charging plugs at two stations in New Milford, addressing this rural charging gap. This project faced a temporary setback earlier this year when the Trump administration sought to cancel the federal funds, but multiple states sued, and the funds were reinstated in August.
For Mellis Worthington, chair of Kent’s sustainability team, and her husband, the high cost of EVs with sufficient range for their commute was a deal-breaker. Despite their desire to go fully electric, they opted for a hybrid instead. “Our next car will definitely be an EV,” she says, highlighting the price barrier that many Americans face.
And this is where it gets controversial. While charging infrastructure is improving rapidly, the initial cost of EVs remains the top barrier for buyers. Only around 20% of US adults say the high cost is not a reason to hold off on an EV purchase.
Electric vehicles currently hold about 8% of the US market share, up from 1.9% five years ago. In the long run, owning an EV may be more cost-effective due to lower maintenance and fuel costs. However, as Daniel Wilkins, a policy analyst at Atlas Public Policy, points out, “everyday Americans are focused more on the sticker price upfront.”
With federal incentives expiring at the end of September, the final cost for many prospective buyers has increased by $7,500 for a new EV. This is a significant hurdle, especially when considering that the average US resident drives no more than 30 miles per day, well within the range of modern EVs.
And this is the part most people miss: most electric vehicle owners, like Jim Warner and his wife, do the majority of their charging at home. Warner, a resident of Bloomfield, owns an EV and a plug-in hybrid. He’s taken his Chevy Bolt, with a range of roughly 250 miles per charge, on a 400-mile trip to Maine twice since buying it in 2022, with no issues.
So, is range anxiety a valid concern, or is it a perception that needs to be challenged? The debate is open. What are your thoughts? Do you think the benefits of EVs outweigh the initial cost and charging concerns? Share your opinions in the comments!