Range Anxiety

In the UK, the government has committed to phase out the sale of pure petrol and diesel (powered solely by internal combustion engines)  cars by 2030.

Range anxiety is a new entry in our vocabulary, affecting the choice of car, but also ones typical car usage. 

Anxiety symptoms tend to surface when deciding which option to pursue:

• Hybrid (HEV),
• Battery Electric (BEV)
• Plug In Hybrid Electric (PHEVs)

The Lithium-ion battery range is elastic, impacted by the vehicle powertrain, mass, aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance, urban or motorway driving, the weather and on-board system usage.

Top of the Range 

Lets take the battery range of the Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+, factoring in the use of heating and air-conditioning with an estimated range of 609 kmh / 378 miles based on 171 Wh/km (watt-hours consumed per kilometre travelled )

NB: The Mercedes is at the top end of EV traveling distance with 609 km.
The average range of EV's is  378 km whilst the Fiat 500e Hatchback 24kWh (2020 -2025) at the lower end has a range of approximately 135 km.

Factors affecting driving range

The colder the exterior temperature, the more energy required for interior heating, conversely the optimum exterior temperature to exclude a/c use is 23 degrees.

Cold Weather 
City driving in cold weather at - 10 ℃ = 184 Wh/km 

Motorway (driving at 110km/h) driving in cold weather at - 10 ℃ = 234 Wh/km

City and Motorway combined is 205 Wh/km

Mild Weather

In mild weather (23 °C)  City Driving = 123Wh/km and Motorway (driving at 110 km/h) = 179 Wh/km 
City and Motorway combined is 148 Wh/km

Real World Causes for Concern

• Will the EV battery really last for 609 km /378 miles?
• Will there be a charge point at our destination?
• After 12 months will battery degradation mean that 609km actually means 550 km?
• What EV type can't we drive in a low emissions zone?
• We only have 5 Charging points for the 30 households in our block of flats and most families have two cars.
• I drive a taxi, how much time will I lose queuing and charging my battery?