One major challenge facing EV sales, is the issue of range anxiety. We often encounter electric vehicles claiming over 300-miles of range, but a discerning eye notes the little asterisk… followed by ‘EPA estimated’. This implies that the maximum range is ideal, and contingent on perfect conditions. Let’s look at EV-range from a real-world perspective…
Why does range anxiety trouble us?
It likely boils down to the demands of everyday life – the hustle, the daily-grind, the to & fro. Unexpected meetings, appointments, and events commonly disrupt our routine. And realistically, many people don’t know at the beginning of the day… where that day might take them. We expect flexibility from our vehicle.
Occasionally, a spontaneous road trip beckons…
America is vast, & Americans like to travel. And while there may be charging stations along the way, the reality is, charging throws a wrench in your flexibility to travel freely & fluidly. You must plot your course around the routes where chargers are more prevalent. Which means you’re less likely to stray off the beaten path. And you must be patient. Patient when finding an operational charger, patient in having to perhaps go out of your way to reach one, patient if the charger/s is occupied… and patient while the vehicle charges. What’s more…
Range drops significantly faster at sustained highway speeds…
The projected range on the dash, is often not accurate when you start consistently carrying speeds of 70+mph. We reviewed a Genesis EV, which was an impressive vehicle around town. But the estimated/displayed range dropped almost 2 miles for every 1 mile driven on the interstate. That means the near 300-mile city range becomes 150 on the open road. Do the math, and after 100 miles or so, you’re already beginning to sweat the next charging station & additional 30 minute delay.
Tesla’s superchargers are making strides to facilitate quick charging…
But remember, these types of chargers charge quickly to 80%… and then trickle-charge slowly the rest of the way while straining the vehicle’s battery. Again, the sales pitch always seems to have a sleight of hand. Additionally, other charging stations have a reputation for lagging behind Tesla’s in reliability, efficiency, and user experience. An illustration of EV charging inequality is evident in the Rich Rebuilds YouTube episode ‘Driving 12 Hours to Confront the Dealer’. In short, a lack of charging support turned a 12-hour trip into a prolonged ordeal. Sub-freezing weather can cause chargers to malfunction (while simultaneously killing range)… as documented by Out of Spec Reviews. And even the CEO of Ford, Jim Farley, recently admitted to real-world ‘challenges’ when he hit the open road in a new Ford Lightning.
When traveling in an internal combustion vehicle…
Refueling is fast & easy. Fuel has its costs. But don’t be fooled, there are absolutely hidden costs associated with charging on the road. Speaking back to the previously-mentioned Genesis Electrified GV70: We spent a little over $20 charging the car at one semi-rural charging station. And we spent over 45-minutes doing it. EVs have a place in the market. But as of now, they seem to serve drivers best when the commute is routine, predictable, and local… allowing you to charge at home.
At the end of the day…
The solution for achieving efficiency… is simplification. A 1991 Honda Civic is efficient… because it’s simple. And it gets 40+mpg… without needing hybrids, electric motors, batteries, and charging. In fact, an entire 1991 Honda Civic weighs less than just the battery in modern luxury EVs. It’s idiotic: They make a giant EV truck/SUV that requires a giant battery to even move it… requiring a giant amount of resources to both create it & charge it… and requiring a near 6-figure price tag to buy it. And then… they have the audacity to call it zero-emissions, green, and sustainable. Make it make sense. We are over-using & exploiting technology, to fake-solve the very problems that ‘too much technology’ created. And anyone who tells you differently or diverts your attention from that truth… is selling you something.
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