The psychology of range anxiety is interesting. We've had an electric car since 2005 (Nissan Leaf) and just got our second one (VW ID4). Even with the Leaf's 100 mile range we have no range anxiety. More than enough for a day's drive.
I think as Americans we have this fascination with the freedom of the open road so any limits on that are a big psychological barrier even if those road trips for most people are few and far between. A reliable public fast-charging network along major interstate routes would be one way to solve that -- really expensive. Or get to a 1000 mile range battery -- also really expensive. I wonder how the total cost compares to subsidizing rental car vouchers for EV owners with valet service so you can easily get a gas car for the occasional long trip. I actually kept our old ICE car just for this (it's really gathering dust), but if I could rent a car as easily as getting an Uber maybe we'd sell it.
I suspect the population-level range anxiety will dissipate once EVs become more commonplace. While people *say* that it has to do with not being able to go for 500-600 miles on a full charge, as you point out that is a rare use case for most people. My view is that range anxiety has a lot more to do with the lack of familiarity with the new technology, and the day-to-day dynamics of recharging a car vs. refueling it. I know people who start watching the battery indicator once it gets below 70%, but won't bat an eye when driving an ICE on a gas tank that is less than 1/4 full.
As I say in my post, a long trip with an EV today does require a bit more planning. But in the everyday use I leave the house each time with essentially a full tank so the range isn't something that I ever think about, let alone the inconvenience of having to stop at the gas station on the way home.
It's interesting that you kept your ICE car around just in case! Hopefully it will be collecting dust as I hear the ID.4 is a great car and you'll get to enjoy it on long road trips ;)
The psychology of range anxiety is interesting. We've had an electric car since 2005 (Nissan Leaf) and just got our second one (VW ID4). Even with the Leaf's 100 mile range we have no range anxiety. More than enough for a day's drive.
I think as Americans we have this fascination with the freedom of the open road so any limits on that are a big psychological barrier even if those road trips for most people are few and far between. A reliable public fast-charging network along major interstate routes would be one way to solve that -- really expensive. Or get to a 1000 mile range battery -- also really expensive. I wonder how the total cost compares to subsidizing rental car vouchers for EV owners with valet service so you can easily get a gas car for the occasional long trip. I actually kept our old ICE car just for this (it's really gathering dust), but if I could rent a car as easily as getting an Uber maybe we'd sell it.
I suspect the population-level range anxiety will dissipate once EVs become more commonplace. While people *say* that it has to do with not being able to go for 500-600 miles on a full charge, as you point out that is a rare use case for most people. My view is that range anxiety has a lot more to do with the lack of familiarity with the new technology, and the day-to-day dynamics of recharging a car vs. refueling it. I know people who start watching the battery indicator once it gets below 70%, but won't bat an eye when driving an ICE on a gas tank that is less than 1/4 full.
As I say in my post, a long trip with an EV today does require a bit more planning. But in the everyday use I leave the house each time with essentially a full tank so the range isn't something that I ever think about, let alone the inconvenience of having to stop at the gas station on the way home.
It's interesting that you kept your ICE car around just in case! Hopefully it will be collecting dust as I hear the ID.4 is a great car and you'll get to enjoy it on long road trips ;)