Range anxiety is overrated

[NeilBlanchard]

Right, the issues and challenges driving an EV are the same, no matter where you live.

[redpoint5]

The right tool for the job...

EVs are the right tool for most jobs. The main thing that makes them untenable for some people is lack of access to charge at home; not range.

The only way range is a problem is if:

1. the EV owner is in a 1 vehicle family

and

2. the EV owner does not have close family or otherwise has a poor relationship and cannot borrow a vehicle

and

3. the EV owner has no friends

and

4. the EV owner does not have a credit card, so they are unable to rent a vehicle

or

5. the EV owner makes frequent long trips, in which case, a fuel efficient gasser such as the Prius makes more sense.

[NeilBlanchard]

Another article referencing this study:

Electric-car range anxiety exists, but it's overblown, says MIT study

[basjoos]

Originally Posted by Xist

What if you did your daily seventy-mile commute, barely got home and plugged in, and your wife, daughter, or handicapped deaf-mute nun has an emergency, and you cannot be there for them.

Hypothetical scenarios can get crazy, but emergencies do happen.

How about construction on your perfect commute requires you to find another way to get to and from work?

Or you get home to find the power is out at your house due to ice/heavy snow/wind taking down the power lines (something that can occur here up to a few times each winter) and you only have 5 miles left on your charge.

[redpoint5]

A coworker in my office usually arrives at 6am, but sent an email saying his gasser won't stay running when he starts it. He still isn't here even though he could have walked in about 30 min.

All technologies are susceptible to problems.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

The right tool for the job...

EVs are the right tool for most jobs. The main thing that makes them untenable for some people is lack of access to charge at home; not range.

The only way range is a problem is if:

1. the EV owner is in a 1 vehicle family

and

2. the EV owner does not have close family or otherwise has a poor relationship and cannot borrow a vehicle

and

3. the EV owner has no friends

and

4. the EV owner does not have a credit card, so they are unable to rent a vehicle

or

5. the EV owner makes frequent long trips, in which case, a fuel efficient gasser such as the Prius makes more sense.

Again. As long as EV advocates have this mindset, EVs will not take over a significant market share.

Range anxiety is a very real reason people don't buy EVs even though the vast majority of car buyers do not meet your requirements. Yes, they could plan out a long trip with long stops at charging stations. Yes, they could pester a friend/family member to borrow their car. Yes, they could rent a car for the trip.

But why would they when they could buy a similar car for half the price without the limitations?

In spite of significant government incentives, EVs accounted for 0.66% of the new US car market in 2015... Looks like people are voting with their dollars here.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

The only way range is a problem is if:

1. the EV owner is in a 1 vehicle family

Or the EV owner drove his 70 mile range EV the 30 miles to work, then found out that due to fires/police shootings (both of which have happened on the highway that runs by my place), the 30 mile trip home just became 70.

2. the EV owner does not have close family or otherwise has a poor relationship and cannot borrow a vehicle

and

3. the EV owner has no friends

If the EV owner keeps mooching off his family/friends, s/he will pretty soon have a poor relationship with them :-)

4. the EV owner does not have a credit card, so they are unable to rent a vehicle

The nearest place I could rent a vehicle is about 15 miles. For some of my friends, it'd be 50 or so. So having to arrange vehicle shuttles for that seems like a major waste. Not to mention that last I heard, the car rental places were only supplying handicap-equipped (that is, automatic transmission) vehicles. I certainly wouldn't want to set out on a long trip driving an unfamiliar vehicle.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

If the EV owner keeps mooching off his family/friends, s/he will pretty soon have a poor relationship with them :-)

You kidding me? I'll let a rando drive my Prius if they want to swap for their BMW i3, Tesla, Spark...

The nearest place I could rent a vehicle is about 15 miles.

Yeah, there are tons of reason why an EV is a poor choice for some people. Mostly, they cost too much. After that, it's access to charging. Even people with garages tend to store crap in them instead of their vehicles. A distant 3rd reason that might make an EV a poor purchase is the hassle that long distance trips might present, especially if they are frequent.

My point isn't that range isn't a concern, it's that it's a very minor one when compared to the other 2 big reasons preventing people from owning them.

[SDMCF]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Yeah, there are tons of reason why an EV is a poor choice for some people. Mostly, they cost too much.

I'm not convinced about that. If cost is the main reason why people don't buy EVs then most car buyers must know the cost of EVs. I doubt that is true, but perhaps that is just me. I have no idea what an EV costs because I first checked the range and decided they aren't for me so I never got as far as looking at the price. Won't most people will approach things in that order? IE Check if they want one before looking at the price?

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Yeah, there are tons of reason why an EV is a poor choice for some people. Mostly, they cost too much.

Huh? The current crop of EVs are priced in the same ballpark as the upper end of what the major automakers offer - that is, not Ferraris, Porsches, or Bentleys. Though of course ANY new car costs more that I'm willing to spend on a vehicle (maybe when used ones get down under $10K or so), but other people obviously do spend that sort of money on their cars.

After that, it's access to charging. Even people with garages tend to store crap in them instead of their vehicles.

But storing stuff and being a workshop is what a garage is FOR. Why would anyone (outside of a high crime area) bother to put a car inside every night? For charging, you just park close to the door and plug in the cord.

My point isn't that range isn't a concern, it's that it's a very minor one when compared to the other 2 big reasons preventing people from owning them.

Well, that may be the case for you, but it's not so for everyone, or I expect even the majority.