What is EV Range Anxiety?

As more electric vehicles enter the market and appear regularly on the road, some Denver drivers aren’t convinced. Where can you charge up around Boulder? What if you go on a road trip out past Fort Collins? What happens if you run out of power while driving? All these questions can be attributed to something called EV range anxiety. 

But what is the definition of EV range anxiety? It’s a common fear among Loveland drivers considering going electric of getting stranded in their low-charged EV with no charging station in sight. Learn more about electric car range anxiety, how to alleviate it, and why there’s no need to worry when you get behind an EV from the new vehicle inventory at BMW of Loveland. 

EV Range Anxiety Definition

There is no strict definition for EV range anxiety, but, as mentioned before, it generally refers to the fear drivers have of getting stranded in an electric vehicle. Whether it’s because they don’t think the electric charging grid is robust enough or they fear forgetting to charge overnight and running late the next day, EV range anxiety stops many drivers from switching to electric. 

Take this scenario: You’re getting your kids ready for school one morning and find out you forgot to plug the car in the night before. You turn the car on and realize the battery is low. The anxiety you feel as you rush off and start your day getting the kids to school on time, getting to work, running errands, and finding a charging station around Fort Collins is considered EV range anxiety. 

How to Deal with Electric Car Range Anxiety

An important part of coping with EV range anxiety is recognizing that gas range anxiety happens, too! Take that same scenario from above and instead of charging, imagine your fuel indicator is hovering over the “E”. You still have to get the kids to school, get to work, and find a gas station, hoping you don’t end up on the side of the road in the meantime. 

Range anxiety is not new — the only difference is what fuels the engine! Fortunately, many of the latest BMW EVs at BMW of Loveland boast impressive driving ranges. Still nervous about keeping your car charged? Consider these tips for minimizing your electric car range anxiety:

• Install a Home Charging Station: The easiest solution for all your day-to-day driving situations is to have an EV charging station installed at home. That way you can plug your car in overnight and know that no matter what life throws at you the next day, your car will be topped up and ready to ride the Boulder roads.
• Familiarize Yourself With Your Charging Network: Many electric vehicle manufacturers will have a preferred charging system and will give customers digital tools to find their nearest charging station.
• Consider a Hybrid or Plug-In Hybrid Instead: If you’re still worried about charging, a hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicle, uses electric batteries for certain parts of the engine but can rely on gas if need be. 
• Rent a Gas-Powered Car for Road Trips: Planning a road trip with an EV does take extra time, and you have to take charging stations and time into account. Instead, rent a gas-powered car for the trip and factor it into your budget for the trip. 

Find Your New BMW EV at BMW of Loveland

As electric vehicle innovation continues to make leaps and bounds and our Loveland EV inventory gets bigger and bigger, EV range anxiety will eventually be a thing of the past. If you’re ready to take one of our electric BMW cars for a test drive, reach out to us at BMW of Loveland to set up an appointment. However, if you’re ready to begin the purchasing process, we encourage you to fill out our remote auto loan application before you stop by.