Two reason are most often given for the reticence to shift to an electric vehicle (EV): Price and “range anxiety”. Prices may be coming down as EV supply develops and EV anxiety is becoming less of an issue, as vehicle ranges extend and charging infrastructure improves.
However, both of these ‘issues’ are more subjective than objective. Buyers’ understanding is the problem, not price nor range.
Running costs show that long run costs are lower for EVs, even when using the most expensive charging. Despite the higher upfront costs, for some owners, the breakeven-point is under a year. Buyers need only see the calculation.
Range anxiety is also a phantom problem. The average range of the top 10 EVs in the UK, as posited by Autocar, is 296 miles. With an average speed of motorways driving in 2022 of 69 mph, this is good for a four-hour journey, or closer to six hours, with a combination of roads used on a typical trip.
Instead, consider not a pure EV, but a plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV). These combine an electric motor with an internal combustion engine – The benefits of electric for short journeys, the flexibility of combustion for long. According to Autocar, of the 83 PHEV models available in the UK, ranges vary from 15 miles to 87 miles, with an average of 39.5 miles.
Next consider the distance of journeys taken:
Taking half the mean PHEV range, to reflect return journeys, it clear that for the vast majority of trips made in the UK even a PHEV will not need to use the combustion engine. If hybrid vehicles will rarely need to burn fuel, then range is a moot point for pure EVs, with 7.5-times the range.
For the occasional journey, mid-journey charging may be needed in an EV. These will require planning, due to the patchier charger availability, and additional time for charging. Hindrances for sure, but one that is diminishing and likely to be felt once or twice a year. Then again, after six hours of driving, a ‘pit stop’ and 30-minute charge may be a safer option than powering through to the destination.
Yes, there will be those drivers needing to travel extended distances on a daily basis. For these, EVs may not offer the necessary flexibility. These are likely to be business travellers and so options like fast charging or hydrogen fuel cells could offer a solution. Though, these drivers are a small minority, and should not pollute the message of the advantages of an EV.
EV buyers naturally look at what is lost by shifting. Instead, they should see what is lost from staying: Lost disposable income, lost driving experience, lost time queuing at a petrol station and so on. The perception of EVs is changing, and as it does, so does the uptake.