Possibility of Electric Vehicles Causing 'Range Anxiety'

Market Strategies International is a market research and consulting firm specializing in communications, energy, financial services, healthcare and technology. Its E2 Study is a national survey designed to gain an understanding of American's attitudes and opinions about energy and environmental issues and how they intersect.

According to the results from the latest Market Strategies International E2 study, at least 70 percent of Americans indicated that it was important to expand the use of electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce dependence on foreign oil. However, the notion of actually driving one in the next 10 years was inconceivable to many.

Jack Lloyd, a vice president in the Energy Division at Market Strategies, cited reasons for such a response. "The findings are enlightening. Respondents clearly see the importance of EVs but don't necessarily see themselves driving one in the immediate future. The reason may be 'range anxiety.’"

“Range anxiety” is defined as the concern about a vehicle's range and/or battery life, that is, how far and for how long it can travel. In fact, according to 28 percent of the survey respondents, these were the concerns that were considered to be hurdles in the adoption of Electric Vehicles.

Lloyd further added, "Clearly, the automotive industry has to remove 'range anxiety' from the equation before it can expect wide acceptance of EV technology."

The study also revealed that respondents considered other factors to be roadblocks that had to be overcome before electric vehicles could become a reality. At least 20 percent were concerned about the availability of recharging stations and infrastructure, while 17 percent worried about total cost and affordability. About 19 percent had inhibitions about the cost of the vehicle.

Respondents also were strongly supportive of the U.S. energy industry taking steps to accommodate electric vehicles in the future with 66 percent backing EV recharging infrastructure investment by electric utilities, and 52 percent indicating that they would like to see their electric utilities take a leadership role to encourage the shift to electric vehicles. About 54 percent believed that electric vehicles would account for about 20 percent of new vehicles sold in 15-20 years.

For the purpose of this study, a total of 1,168 interviews were completed Oct. 14 through Oct. 25, with consumers nationwide, and the recruited respondents were so chosen so that they would reflect key characteristics of the U.S. population. The weighted data was expected to bring the sample characteristics into closer alignment with the population and reflect the U.S. Census demographics.

So, the general picture that emerges is that adoption of electric vehicles is not something that is altogether ruled out, but is not something that is immediately going to happen.