Rivian Mom
Active Wheeler
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2024
- Messages
- 246
- Reaction score
- 26
- Rivian
- R1S
Been thinking about range anxiety recently. Detractors use it as a cudgel and it’s become engrained in many people as a reason not to try an EV. I don’t deny it’s a real thing for folks getting into EVs, but why? My hypothesis is: range anxiety results mainly from the way EVs show fuel level (the range display). Rather than putting minds at ease, the level of precision in an ever-changing, miles-remaining range estimate makes owners hyper-fixate in a way they never did with ICE.
In an ICE vehicle you might monitor it down to the 1/4 or 1/8th tank on the fuel gauge, but having an order of magnitude more precision in an EV range display triggers a fear response in many. I’ve personally witnessed new EV owners (that I’ve convinced to get an EV) on the verge of returning their vehicle after driving part way home from the dealer. Watching their plummeting range estimate with dismay and terror. My response to their frantic phone calls has been, “Does the route planner say you’ll make it? Yes? OK, drive the speed limit and you’ll make it.” My record is 100% so far.
Changing the driver display to show battery percentage is a step in the right direction and I use that, but a simple gauge with 10% increments with no numbers until you get below 10% might be a better option. Keep all that precision in the route planner, but not in the driver display.
Note: I’m not saying make a gauge the only option, but making it an option would be a welcome development.
In an ICE vehicle you might monitor it down to the 1/4 or 1/8th tank on the fuel gauge, but having an order of magnitude more precision in an EV range display triggers a fear response in many. I’ve personally witnessed new EV owners (that I’ve convinced to get an EV) on the verge of returning their vehicle after driving part way home from the dealer. Watching their plummeting range estimate with dismay and terror. My response to their frantic phone calls has been, “Does the route planner say you’ll make it? Yes? OK, drive the speed limit and you’ll make it.” My record is 100% so far.
Changing the driver display to show battery percentage is a step in the right direction and I use that, but a simple gauge with 10% increments with no numbers until you get below 10% might be a better option. Keep all that precision in the route planner, but not in the driver display.
Note: I’m not saying make a gauge the only option, but making it an option would be a welcome development.
