What is Range Anxiety?
One of the largest barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption, is misinformation about EV battery limitations. This can lead to what is often called range anxiety: the fear that an EV’s battery charge will run out while on the road, leaving the driver unable to find a public charger in time to replenish its fuel. This article will delve into common EV battery concerns, debunk some of these myths, and share tools for charging optimization that will make range anxiety a thing of the past.
Battery Power
Despite the financial, environmental, and performance benefits of using an EV, many people avoid making the switch due to the belief that most electric car batteries are insufficient for day-to-day use. However, understanding mileage and battery functionality can help ease these concerns.
It is important to note that the average American drives no more than 43 miles a day (Alternative Fuels Data Centre). In contrast, the average EV has a battery capacity of 250 miles (400km), with many models exceeding 300 miles (Consumer Reports). This means most people can easily go about their day-to-day life without giving battery capacity a second thought. In fact, a survey by Consumer Reports found that EV owners consider range to be far less of an issue than non-owners, indicating this concern is not as significant as skeptics believe.
To further alleviate concerns about battery quality, it is worth noting that battery degradation occurs much slower than previously thought. A study by Geotab finds that EV batteries average a modest 2.3% degradation a year and will outlive the cars themselves. Although extreme temperatures often contribute the most to battery loss, EVs are equipped with thermal management systems that help mitigate this issue by keeping the internal batteries at an optimal temperature, thereby preventing significant battery degradation (Geotab). This makes it so that significant battery loss only takes place in extremely cold weather. Familiar behaviors that can cause batteries to lose power slightly faster are speeding, harsh braking, and rapid acceleration–factors that also impact the battery power of regular gas-powered cars.
Private Charging for Battery Optimization
So, while EV batteries are durable, what do you do when you eventually need to charge them? Although the number of public chargers is increasing, they have not yet matched the high frequency of gas stations. However, 88% of charging happens at home (Science Direct), making private charging the best, most convenient solution to the public charger gap.
The ease of charging on your own schedule, within the comfort of your home is unmatched. With the right technology, private EV chargers can make up for any public charging inadequacies. With access to a private charger, people will not need to worry about finding a public charger, and they might not even want to after trying out home charging.
However, there is a caveat. Many single-family homes and multi-unit residential buildings lack the electrical capacity to effectively obtain an optimal charge. Low amperage electrical infrastructure can limit EV charging. This is because most EV charging systems fail to optimize the available electrical capacity to its full extent. The average EV Energy Management System (EVEMS) installed with a private charger is limited to only turning EV charging on or off, losing a significant amount of that power that could be devoted to charging. However, with Variablegrid’s Dynamic Load Balancing technology, you can rest assured that when you unplug your EV in the morning, it will be properly charged and ready to go.
Variablegrid’s EVEMS can automatically modulate EV charging based on your energy needs, utilizing 100% of available electrical capacity at any point in time. It continuously monitors power usage and allocates EV charging based on what is available at that moment. In most buildings, this guarantees that plugging your EV in overnight will result in a maximal charge, regardless of your building's apparent electrical limitations. Users of Variablegrid’s patented technology benefit from the utmost energy output possible, reassuring car-owners that they will make it to their next destination.
While the number of public EV chargers is on the rise, private charging remains the most convenient option available. It can alleviate the stress associated with considering your charging options, but it is important to note that not all EV charging systems are made equal. Variablegrid’s adaptive, intelligent systems are the most promising solution to range anxiety. Combined with the robust battery quality of EVs and the expanding network of public chargers, worries about your EV running out of charge will become a thing of the past.
By Danielle Shefley