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Electric car ‘range anxiety’ could soon be a thing of the past

Electric cars are fast approaching the range demands of more than a third of motorists, a new study has found.

The survey, by DrivingElectric.com – a consumer advice website for electric vehicles – asked potential electric car buyers what they were looking for in terms of range.It emerged that 37% of them no longer expected the equivalent range of traditionally-powered vehicle. Instead they cited ranges between 50 and 300 miles on a single charge, which means the threshold for range anxiety has already been met by some mainstream electric vehicles.

Around 10% of potential buyers said they were looking for a range of up to 150 miles, which a number of models can already achieve.A further 28% wanted to be able to drive up to 400 miles on a single charge – a figure that industry insiders expect the new higher-end models now in development to hit.The remaining 35% of motorists who took part in the survey may have to wait some time for their range expectations of 400-1,000 miles to be met.

But the indication that consumer expectations are so close to what is already achievable for 37% of would-be buyers heralds a potential surge in demand when consumers realise the capabilities that some models now have.

“With such focus on range anxiety, many have missed the technological improvements we’re seeing,” Vicky Parrott, the Associate Editor of DrivingElectric.com, said. “We were surprised to find many drivers’ expectations were so close to what is already available to them.However, the matching of expectation and reality is fantastic news for those drivers who have been waiting for the moment these cars meet their needs on range.”

“When you look at the fact that most people would be able to cover most of their weekly miles on a single charge, and combine it with the range they have in mind that would tempt them to take the plunge and buy an EV, it looks like very good news for this market.We have no doubt that these latest findings mean electric vehicle adoption is set to increase in 2018 – especially among ordinary motorists.”