Range Anxiety: Where Does It Come From, and Is It Justified?

For many people, buying an electric car comes down to one question: "What if I run out of battery?" Maybe you're looking at a practical Fiat Grande Panda for everyday driving or dreaming about road trips in a Hyundai IONIQ 6. Either way, the thought of getting stranded can make you hesitate. 

But today's EVs are very different from the first generation. They travel farther, charge much faster, and benefit from a rapidly growing charging network. So, is range anxiety still justified? We examined the latest research, spoke to EV drivers, and reviewed independent tests to separate common myths from today's reality.

The most important facts at a glance: 

• You're much less likely to experience range anxiety today than EV drivers were just a few years ago.

• For most days, one full charge is more than enough for commuting, shopping, school runs, and other everyday journeys.

• Finding a charger is easier than ever, as public charging networks continue to grow.

• Your car can do most of the planning for you. Modern navigation systems recommend charging stops and suggest alternatives if needed.

Range anxiety is the fear that your electric car won't have enough battery to reach your destination or the next charging station. It became a common concern in the early days of electric mobility, when EVs had much shorter ranges and public chargers were few and far between. The fear was so widespread that Norway, now one of the world's leading EV markets, even coined its own word for it: "rekkeviddeangst" (range anxiety).

Although electric cars have improved dramatically since then, many people still worry about running out of charge. Today, the concern is less about battery range itself and more about questions like: Will the next charger be available? What if it's out of service? Should I stop charging now or keep driving? For many first-time EV buyers, these uncertainties matter more than the car's actual range.

For most EV owners, everyday driving isn't the problem. It's the less familiar situations that raise questions, such as a family holiday, a long motorway journey, or driving in freezing temperatures. We also tend to remember stories about broken or occupied chargers more than the thousands of journeys that go exactly as planned. And if you've never owned an electric car before, it's natural to judge it by the habits you've developed with petrol or diesel vehicles.

Your daily routine is easy. You know where you'll charge, whether at home or at work. But a weekend away or a family holiday feels different. Suddenly, you start watching the battery percentage more closely. Should I stop at the next charger? Is 20% enough, or should I play it safe and charge now? Modern electric cars calculate the best charging stops automatically, but if you're new to electric driving, it can take a little time to trust those predictions. That's one of the most common causes of range anxiety.

When the temperature drops below zero, EV energy consumption increases. If it’s your first winter as an electric car driver, you might start getting anxious after noticing that you need to charge more often. 

Many drivers who used to drive a petrol or diesel car start comparing charging to refuelling. Long-established driving habits are not something you forget in a day. It takes time to adjust. Charging time, unlike refuelling, is often integrated into natural breaks for coffee, meals, or shopping. They are longer than 2 minutes, but that starts feeling just fine when you treat them as a well-needed break to stretch your body and have lunch.

Stories about broken or occupied chargers are memorable and are shared widely. You can find them in Facebook groups or hear them from friends who drive electric cars. Let's be honest: no one shares a boring story about driving to a charging station, charging successfully, and driving away. Negative experiences tend to have a greater psychological impact than positive ones. As a result, isolated incidents can turn into stories and create the impression that charging is less reliable than it actually is.

When you own an electric car, travelling to another country means not only bringing your passport but also checking what charging options are available at your destination. Thinking about charging networks, payment methods, apps, and roaming agreements can be stressful, as these differ from one country to another.

If you haven't looked into electric cars for a few years, you'll be surprised by how much they've changed. Today's EVs travel much farther on a single charge, recharge much more quickly, and even help you plan the best charging stops along the way. For most people, everyday driving is effortless. And when it's time for a holiday or a longer journey, travelling by electric car is much easier and more predictable than many expect.

The table below shows how the average driving range and battery capacity of electric cars have evolved since 2015.

Source: ÖAMTC

Battery technology has improved considerably in recent years. Not only are new battery chemistries emerging, but the most widely used technology, lithium-ion, continues to improve as well. Higher energy density and more advanced battery management systems allow electric vehicles to travel much farther on a single charge. Many current EVs offer a WLTP range of 500 to over 600 km, while some premium models already exceed 700 km. Models with a range of around 1,000 km are also expected in the coming years. These figures easily cover the daily travel needs of most drivers, as the average daily journey is well under 50 km.

The ADAC Ecotest, one of Europe's leading independent vehicle tests, regularly confirms the strong efficiency and practical range of today's electric vehicles.

Many modern EVs support High-Power Charging (HPC) and reach 10% to 80% battery capacity in around 20 - 30 minutes under optimal conditions. For instance, the Tesla Model Y allows you to add 260 km of WLTP range in just 15 min of charge. That’s just enough to get some coffee and answer all those Instagram messages you got while driving. 

Range is not just about the battery size but also about how much the car consumes per 100 km. Modern EVs achieve longer range while using less energy. Nowadays, electric cars consume just 13 - 18 kWh per 100 km. One of the factors contributing to it is the improved aerodynamics that reduce air resistance. A good example is the Hyundai IONIQ 6, often nicknamed the "banana car" because of its distinctive teardrop-shaped design. In addition, software updates can further improve efficiency throughout the vehicle's lifetime. 

Under typical driving conditions, regenerative braking enables modern EVs to recover roughly 22% of their energy consumption. You don’t necessarily have to drive steep roads downhill to benefit from recuperation. The stop-and-go traffic in the city is already a good opportunity to get your battery charged by a few per cent. 

Most modern electric cars come with advanced navigation systems. They do more than simply show where charging stations are or guide you to them. They can estimate how much battery you will have when you reach your destination and recommend the most suitable charging stops along the way. 

Some systems also take additional factors, such as weather conditions, into account. For example, if strong headwinds or low temperatures increase energy consumption, the route is adjusted, and an earlier charging stop is recommended. If a planned charging station is occupied or out of service, the system automatically suggests a nearby alternative.

The EU's public charging infrastructure has grown rapidly, reaching 1.1 million public charging points by the end of 2025. This is five times more than in 2020. Almost all EU member states now meet or exceed the EU's charging infrastructure targets. This clearly indicates that the network is expanding quickly enough as more and more electric vehicles appear on the road.

Overcome range anxiety by knowing your EV, planning longer trips, charging at home with a wallbox, topping up regularly, using eco mode, combining charging with breaks, and keeping charging apps handy. These simple habits make EV driving more efficient, convenient, and stress-free.

• Get to know your EV

Read your vehicle's manual carefully, check its official WLTP range and energy consumption, and look for independent tests, such as those by ADAC, to see how far the car can actually travel in real-world conditions. Read reviews on forums and, if you know someone who owns the same model, ask about their experience. 

• Plan longer trips ahead

You won’t even think about it after a few long trips, but at the beginning, it's worth taking some time to plan your journey. The goal is not only to avoid the very small chance of getting stranded (which is extremely rare), but also to help you feel more confident when travelling. Every long-distance journey will teach you a little more about how your car behaves and how far it can actually travel on a single charge. Before long, you'll realise there's very little to worry about.

• Install a home wallbox

Charging at home is one of the biggest advantages of owning an electric vehicle. A dedicated wallbox allows you to charge your car safely and efficiently overnight. You will be able to start each day with a full battery and less reliance on public charging infrastructure.
Nowadays, installing a wallbox like the go-e Charger in a rented apartment building is almost as straightforward as installing one at your own house. Of course, you should always check the local regulations first. However, in many cases, the process is simpler than people expect. For example, in Germany, tenants generally have the right to install a wallbox unless there is a valid reason not to, such as the building being a listed historic property. In Austria, the rules are slightly more complex, but installation is still possible in many cases. 

• Keep your battery charged

Make charging part of your routine. Topping up whenever it's convenient will certainly help reduce stress and ensure you always have enough range for unexpected trips.

• Use eco-driving modes

Most EVs offer eco or efficiency modes that can optimise energy consumption. Combined with gentle acceleration and regenerative braking, this gives you the power to noticeably extend your driving range.

• Make the most of charging stops

When travelling long distances, plan your charging stops around activities you would do anyway. Have a meal, grab a coffee, or stretch your legs while your car charges. Many charging apps and maps also show nearby cafés, restaurants, parks, museums, and other attractions. Even if you choose a slower AC charger, you can use the time to explore the area instead of simply waiting.

• Keep charging apps ready

Download a few popular charging apps before you need them. You don’t need to get a subscription – just having the app is enough. It can help you find nearby charging stations, check real-time availability, compare charging speeds, and pay for charging without spending extra time on it.

The main benefits of charging at home are starting every day with a fully charged battery, tracking your charging costs more easily, relying less on public charging, enjoying lower charging costs, and simply having greater everyday convenience.

• Always have enough charge for the next trip

Your daily commute is predictable, but a friend inviting you out in a couple of hours isn't. With a home wallbox, you're ready for both. There's no need to leave early just to charge on the way. With a smart wallbox like the go-e Charger, you can set the time by which your car should be fully charged. Or simply plug it in overnight while you're asleep. That's how most EV drivers with home charging top up their cars, waking up to a full battery every morning.

• Everyday convenience

Charging at home is as simple as plugging in your car when you get back. You won't have to think about when to charge or whether you'll have enough battery for tomorrow. Instead of spending time driving to a charging station or waiting for your car to charge, you can simply plug it in and let it charge while you relax, sleep, or spend time with your family. By morning, your car is ready to go.

• Reduce dependence on public charging infrastructure

For long-distance journeys, public charging is sometimes unavoidable. However, if you have a home wallbox and don't regularly drive 200+ km a day, you'll rarely need to stop to charge while you're out. That means less time thinking about whether a charging station is available (you can usually check this in an app anyway) or how long you'll have to wait before you can continue your journey.

• It's cheaper

Charging at home is usually much cheaper than relying on public charging. With a smart wallbox, you can schedule charging for off-peak hours when electricity prices are lower. If you have solar panels, you can even use surplus solar energy to charge your car. When charging costs less, you'll be more likely to keep your battery topped up instead of waiting until it's nearly empty.

EVs don't just stop instantly when the dashboard display hits 0%. Most manufacturers build in a hidden reserve that allows you to drive a few extra km at reduced power. Once the high-voltage battery is completely depleted:

• Power steering and acceleration shut down.

• The car automatically shifts into Park or Neutral depending on the model.

• Safety electronics, hazard lights, and door locks continue to function via the separate 12V auxiliary battery.

If you realise you can't reach a charging station:

• Pull over. Move to the shoulder or a safe spot off the main road immediately.

• Turn on hazard lights.

• Shift to neutral (if possible), as this prepares the car for safe loading if a tow truck is required.

Once safely parked, call roadside assistance (via your EV manufacturer's app, insurance provider, or automobile club). Depending on your location, they may:

• Tow your vehicle to the nearest charging station, usually on a flatbed truck.

• Provide mobile charging assistance, where available, to give you enough energy to reach the nearest charger. 

V2V charging allows one EV to act as a mobile power source, transferring electricity directly to another EV’s battery. This could be done via a charging cable or V2L adapter. Currently, models like the Lucid Air (RangeXchange), Zeekr 007, and Ford F-150 Lightning offer forms of peer-to-peer charging. However, the technology is still developing and subject to local regulatory approvals.

Electric cars with a range of around 1,000 km are expected to arrive between 2027 and 2028, but initially only in a small number of premium models. Mass adoption will likely take several more years as manufacturers scale up production and reduce costs.

Several manufacturers aim to introduce EVs with around 1,000 km of range within the next few years:

• Toyota plans to launch solid-state battery EVs with a target range exceeding 1,000 km.

• Mercedes-Benz has already demonstrated a solid-state prototype that travelled 1,205 km on a single charge under test conditions.

• Chinese manufacturers, including CATL, BYD, and Chery, are also developing batteries capable of more than 1,000 km of range.

Nothing cures anxiety better than knowing that your car can go 1000+ km with a full battery. However, most drivers will never need that much range. Today's EVs already cover several days of typical driving on a single charge, and public charging infrastructure continues to expand every year. By the time 1,000 km electric cars become widely available, range anxiety is likely to be even less of a concern than it is today.