Survey Says: EV Range Anxiety is Overrated
[Jan. 29, 2020]
The Automobile Club of America (AAA) completed a survey in October 2019 that found while range anxiety is a genuine concern among potential EV buyers, EV ownership is, ironically, the best way to prove range isn’t an issue.
AAA’s survey, which included 1,090 EV owners, discovered that 91% of EV owners had at least one concern prior to their purchase of an EV. These concerns ran the gamut from lack of range to long-distance travel to locating charging locations.
“Although 40 million Americans have shown interest in buying electric for their next car, actual adoption is happening at a much slower rate,” says Greg Brannon, AAA’s Director of Automotive Engineering and Industry Relations. “AAA wanted to understand what kind of impact the experience of owning an electric vehicle has on perception of these cars and maybe more importantly, if given the chance would consumers choose to go green again.”
The survey targeted compact EVs, specifically the Chevrolet Bolt, Hyundai Ioniq Electric, Kia Soul EV, Nissan Leaf, and Volkswagen eGolf.
According to the survey, 96% of owners said they would buy or lease an EV again. Interestingly, 78% noted that while they also own an ICE vehicle, 87% of their travel is accomplished with their EV. The survey also found that EV owners drive roughly 39 miles per day.
AAA did not say how much of that mileage is commuting versus recreational.
“Range anxiety has been synonymous with electric vehicles from the beginning,” Brannon says. “Hearing firsthand from owners that this is no longer a worry may change the mind of those who have otherwise been skeptical to the idea of owning an electric vehicle.”
Per AAA: “Previous AAA research has found that the top two reasons why Americans shy away from electric vehicles are not enough places to charge (58%) and the fear that they will run out of charge while driving (57%). Almost all owners surveyed (95%) report never having run out of a charge while driving and on average, they do three fourths (75%) of their charging at home. Likely as a result, those who were originally concerned about insufficient range said they became less or no longer concerned post-purchase (77%).”
Admittedly, any vehicle owner is largely invested in their high-dollar purchase, thus EV owners will undoubtedly find a way to make their purchase or lease fit their lifestyle. But the indisputable takeaway from AAA’s survey is that 96% of EV drivers would buy or lease an EV again.
Self-justification be damned – this appears to be a genuine number that paints a positive picture of EVs as we move forward.
(image by Ryan McGuire)
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