But is range anxiety still relevant today? What causes it, and how real is the risk of running out of charge? More importantly, how can drivers overcome it?

Let’s break it down.

What Causes Range Anxiety?

At its core, range anxiety is about uncertainty. Drivers fear not having enough charge to complete a journey, and this often stems from a few key factors:

1. Perceived Limited Range

In the early days of EV development, range was a legitimate concern. Many early models had real-world ranges of 100 to 200 kilometers, which made longer trips challenging and required very careful planning.

Today, most new EVs offer ranges between 300 and 500 kilometers, with some premium models exceeding 600 kilometers on a single charge. However, the perception of limited range has been slow to catch up with reality. Many drivers still associate EVs with short driving distances—even though, for most daily travel, these ranges are more than sufficient.

2. Charging Infrastructure Gaps

Another driver of range anxiety is the belief that charging stations are not as accessible or common as fuel stations. In some rural or remote areas, this can still be true. However, across Europe, charging infrastructure is growing rapidly. In fact, the European Union has set ambitious targets to ensure better access to charging: under the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), fast charging stations should be available every 60 kilometers along the main TEN-T (Trans-European Transport Network) routes by 2025. This regulation aims to make long-distance EV travel more reliable and reduce charging-related concerns. Read the EU report for more details.

Charging apps, real-time maps, and built-in EV navigation systems now show drivers exactly where chargers are located and which ones are currently available. Still, unfamiliarity or distrust in the system can keep anxiety alive—especially among those who haven’t driven an EV before.

3. Charging Time

Even the fastest DC chargers take 15 to 45 minutes to add substantial range to an EV, compared to just a few minutes at the gasoline pump. While this is manageable during a lunch break or rest stop, it’s a shift in routine that some drivers struggle with, particularly if they’re on a tight schedule.

This difference in refueling time can lead to concerns about delays and the logistics of planning longer journeys. However, with smart route planning and proper use of fast chargers, charging becomes a manageable and even convenient part of the trip.

4. Variable Battery Performance

EVs are efficient, but their range can be affected by several real-world factors:

• Cold temperatures reduce battery performance and can shorten range.
• Using heating or air conditioning increases energy consumption.
• Driving at high speeds drains the battery faster.
• Uphill driving and heavy loads require more power than flat, light conditions.

Because of these variables, the exact distance an EV can travel on a charge may change from one trip to the next—fueling uncertainty for new drivers.

Who Experiences Range Anxiety?

Range anxiety is more common among:

• Drivers new to EVs
• Those who haven’t yet switched from traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles
• People who regularly drive long distances and are unsure of charging logistics

Interestingly, range anxiety tends to fade quickly after drivers adopt an EV. Multiple studies and surveys have shown that after a few weeks or months of regular EV use, most drivers find that range anxiety disappears—or becomes a rare concern.

Why? Because they quickly learn:

• How far their EV can go on a single charge.
• Where and how to charge easily.
• That most daily trips are well within their EV’s range.

How Common is Range Anxiety Today?

While it’s still a top-cited concern among non-EV drivers, range anxiety has become less common among actual EV owners. According to several recent European surveys:

• Over 70% of EV owners report being satisfied with their vehicle’s range.
• Many say they rarely worry about running out of charge once they become familiar with the car.

Moreover, data shows that most daily driving falls well within the range of modern EVs. In many European countries, the average daily distance driven is under 50 km—a small fraction of what today’s EVs can cover on a single charge.

How to Reduce or Avoid Range Anxiety

The key to reducing range anxiety is a combination of knowledge, preparation, and experience. Here’s how:

1. Understand Your Real Range

Get to know your car’s actual range under typical driving conditions. Drive it for a few days, observe how much range you use on your daily routes, and note how factors like speed and weather affect consumption.

Use your EV’s dashboard to monitor:

• Battery percentage
• Energy consumption (kWh/100 km)
• Estimated remaining range

2. Plan Charging Stops in Advance

For longer trips, use apps like the Allego map or your vehicle’s built-in navigation to plan where to stop and charge. These tools account for elevation, speed, and battery condition, giving you a realistic travel and charging plan.

Bonus tip: Choose locations with amenities like cafes, restaurants, or shops so you can use your charging break productively.

3. Charge Before You Need To

Rather than waiting until your battery is nearly empty, charge when you’re at 20–30%—especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area. This gives you more flexibility and peace of mind.

4. Take Advantage of Home or Workplace Charging

If you have access to charging at home or work, you’ll likely start every day with a full battery, eliminating much of the anxiety altogether. Even without home charging, public AC chargers near your residence can serve the same purpose.

5. Use EV Tools and Apps

Modern EVs are equipped with real-time range estimators, route planning features, and efficiency monitors. Learn how to use these tools to get the most out of your driving experience. They can help you avoid unnecessary detours and ensure you’re never caught off guard.

How Charging Infrastructure is Evolving

Across Europe, governments and private providers are working to eliminate range anxiety by expanding charging networks rapidly.

Here’s what’s changing:

• More high-power chargers (100–400 kW) are being installed along highway and urban centers.
• Charging maps like Allego’s offer real-time charger availability, connector types, and estimated charging times.
• Cross-border roaming agreements are making it easier to charge across multiple countries with a single account or app.
• The European Union’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) is accelerating charging station deployment, especially along major travel corridors.

In short, finding a charger is getting easier by the day.

Range Anxiety vs. Real-World Driving Needs

It’s important to remember that range anxiety is often more emotional than practical. Most EV drivers:

• Rarely travel distances beyond their car’s range in a single day.
• Can easily adapt their habits to incorporate regular charging.
• Find the transition smoother than expected once they begin using their EV regularly.

Over time, what was once a source of stress becomes a non-issue—just another part of the driving routine.

Final Thoughts: Is Range Anxiety Still Relevant?

Range anxiety was once a very real limitation of early EVs—but today, it’s more about perception than reality. With the average EV offering over 400 km of range, widespread charging infrastructure, and powerful route planning tools, running out of charge is increasingly unlikely.

Yes, it’s natural to have concerns when trying something new. But with a little planning and a few weeks of experience, most drivers find that EVs fit easily into their lives—often more smoothly than they expected.

So, is range anxiety real? Yes—for some. Is it permanent? Absolutely not.

With technology improving and support networks growing, range anxiety is on its way out—and EV confidence is here to stay.

Unsure about what EV range really means or what affects it? Check out our blog on Understanding EV Range for a clear breakdown before we dive deeper.