Three in four drivers agree that electric vehicles (EVs) are the future of driving, a US survey has shown. In the UK, investment of £2.3 million under the Faraday Battery Challenge and the government pledge to ban the sale of diesel and petrol cars by 2040, are contributing to a bright future for the EV industry. Yet, according to the same US survey by Volvo, 58% of drivers are worried they will run out of power, and 48% are fearful of the lack of charging stations. This is known collectively as “Range Anxiety”.
Range Anxiety is the fear surrounding an EV’s ability to travel long distances. Low mileage per charge (measured using the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure – WLTP), as well as long charging times and the lack of charging stations, contribute to lower sales of EVs compared to petrol and diesel vehicles.
However, a study on anxiety vs. reality of EV range in Switzerland and Finland, found that 85-90% of all national trips in these countries could be completed using the battery electric vehicles that were available in 2016. At the time, the study suggested that a potential coverage of 99% could be reached if the appropriate infrastructure was developed and a higher range of EVs were adopted.
Today, range anxiety does not necessarily need to be a concern. Longer range cars are becoming available, and new technology is further advancing range and shortening charging times. Range anxiety may soon be a thing of the past.
Many EVs currently available have a range of 300+ miles. At the top end, luxury vehicles such as the Tesla Model S Long Range can travel 375 miles (WLTP). At the lower end of the price scale, the popular Nissan Leaf can still do a notable 239 miles (WLTP). New contenders in the market include the Rivian R1T – to go into production in 2020 – with an impressive range of 400+ miles (WLTP). Also the Volkswagen I.D. Vizzion in 2022 with a similar range target. That’s Manchester to London and back on a single charge; and it is in the not too distant future.
Source: Alistair Charlton, Car Magazine – Longest range electric cars 2019: EVs to buy with the longest charge
Charging time is an aspect of switching to an EV that causes concern for some drivers. Problems with EV battery thermal management contribute to the extended charging times, and the lack of range. MIVOLT is a biodegradable, dielectric fluid that can provide immersion cooling for EV batteries and charging points. With the aid of MIVOLT, the EV industry can overcome range anxiety; granting faster charging and longer ranges, whilst maintaining an environmentally friendly vehicle.
Read more about the importance of MIVOLT for the future of the EV industry here.