Do Electric Vehicle Drivers Still Worry About Charging and Range? A Recent Study Provides Insights One of the main concerns for those considering electric vehicles (EVs) is their range and the availability of charging infrastructure. Although electric vehicles have seen increases in range and the proliferation of charging stations, do these improvements fully address the anxieties of drivers? A recent study conducted in the United States by Quantum Research sheds light on these questions.
Range Anxiety is Rare According to the study, only 9% of electric vehicle owners frequently experience range anxiety, while 18% say they never worry about it. Additionally, 44% of respondents said they rarely feel anxious about their EV’s range. However, 44% of drivers noted that range anxiety negatively impacted their satisfaction with EV ownership. The study also found that 16% of respondents had completely depleted their vehicle’s battery at least once.
How Often Do Drivers Experience Charging Anxiety? When asked about charging anxiety, 21% of respondents said they never experience it, while 46% reported feeling it less than once a month. Only 8% of drivers said they experienced this concern on a weekly basis. In total, 37% of participants mentioned that charging anxiety negatively affected their satisfaction with EV ownership.
Issues with Waiting at Charging Stations One of the significant concerns among electric vehicle owners is arriving at a charging station only to find it fully occupied. According to the study, 75% of participants said they had experienced this at least once, with 10% having to wait an hour or more for a charging spot. On the other hand, 29% stated that they never had to wait, and 48% reported waiting less than 15 minutes, indicating that long wait times are not common. However, it is worth noting that holiday seasons and other peak periods can lead to longer wait times.
Charging Preferences and Future Expectations The study also looked at where EV owners primarily charge their vehicles. It found that 70% primarily charge at home, while 16% use public charging stations, and 14% utilize both. Despite the relatively strong infrastructure, many cities still face challenges with apartment buildings that lack dedicated parking or charging facilities, which can lead to a greater reliance on public charging stations.
Despite these challenges, the study found that 91% of electric vehicle owners would still choose an electric vehicle for their next car, indicating that, despite some frustrations, EVs are generally well-regarded by their owners.
These findings provide useful insights into the current state of electric vehicle ownership in the U.S. As the market grows, addressing the concerns of range and charging infrastructure will be crucial for further adoption and satisfaction among EV drivers.
