19 December 2023
E-mobility

Range anxiety: what is it and why it is an outdated fear

The fear of running out of power in one’s electric car without the ability to recharge is a ghost of the past. That’s why today’s e-drivers have nothing to fear.

 

Range anxiety, or range anxiety, is a concept used in the field of e-mobility to describe the feeling of worry or fear of running out of power during a trip by constantly having to keep an eye on the range of the vehicle’s battery or the availability of charging infrastructure along one’s route. In other words, it is the fear of not being able to reach the destination and not finding charging points along the way, with the risk of being stranded with the car running out of power. This concern stems from the early stages of the spread of electric mobility, when the technological development of cars was not at the level of today’s cars and the charging network in Italy was not as extensive and widespread as it is today.

 

A widespread and widespread network

 

Data from the last three years on the charging infrastructure in Italy show a sector that continues to expand: according to Motus-E data updated to June 30, 2023, charging points have increased by 216 percent to 45,210, and of these as many as 3,045 are ultra-fast charging points. Also on the rise is the figure for highway charging stations, where one in four service areas is equipped with electric vehicle charging points to support e-drivers even on long trips. Numbers that show a clear and steady expansion of the public charging network, which continues to grow enabling the development of the electric market and making the choice to travel electric increasingly easy and comfortable.

 

As part of the crucial expansion of the charging infrastructure in Italy, both in urban streets and along highways, the emergence of an ultra-fast network is proving to be crucial. In this segment, Ewiva has become a key player in the change, making an essential contribution to the country in establishing the most extensive and widespread ultra-fast network in Italy.

 

Moreover, with Ewiva, the charging paradigm changes: our stations are strategically placed along main arteries or in places that nearby provide services (e.g., bars, restaurants, businesses, supermarkets) and places of interest (e.g., tourist attractions). This strategy provides e-drivers with the peace of mind that they can tackle their daily electric travels and commutes without worries related to autonomy, knowing that they can count on stations placed in key locations that allow them to make the most of the time spent charging thanks to different Ewiva solutions.

 

Technology for an increasingly accessible and 100% green network

The Ewiva network is also constantly evolving to serve its users with an increasingly easy and accessible experience for all. That’s why, in addition to being able to recharge on the Ewiva network via apps or RFID cards from the more than 50 interoperable charging service providers, charging becomes even easier thanks to Plug & Charge technology, which is available for the first time in a widespread way on the high-power charging network: if the vehicle supports the feature, simply connect it to the Ewiva station and charging starts on its own, without the need for additional steps or authentication. In addition, after the pilot project started on 6 Ewiva stations, the possibility of paying for charging by card via the contactless method, without apps or cards, will be further extended in the coming months.

 

Finally, it is important to note that Ewiva puts its technology at the service of the environment. The entire infrastructure is powered by 100 percent renewable energy for zero-emission electric mobility. This not only helps to further limit the environmental impact of our travel, but also positively impacts the creation of a sustainable lifestyle.

 

In conclusion, range anxiety is now an outdated concept for e-drivers going electric in Italy. However, for those who want additional peace of mind during their electric travels, there are some practices and tools that can make the experience even more serene.

 

Current mid-range cars boast ranges of about 400-500 km, providing ample coverage for most trips. In addition, it is always advisable to rely on the car’s in-car navigator: based on driving style and route, it automatically adapts by indicating the remaining range by suggesting charging stations along the way. In addition, the apps made available by MSPs are a valuable ally, allowing not only to locate charging stations, but often also to schedule the entire trip and the necessary stops.

 

For those who prefer even more detailed planning, especially useful for long trips, several “trip planner” applications are now available on the market that allow planning optimal stops along the way. And in addition to in-car navigators, online map services (e.g., Google Maps) now also clearly indicate public charging stations along the route.

 

If any doubt still arises, a recommended practice is to schedule short stops, keeping the car’s battery in a safe range of 20 percent to 80 percent. This not only ensures longer battery life over time, but also provides greater peace of mind during the trip.

 

So, e-drivers, enjoy your electric adventure worry-free knowing that you can always count on Ewiva’s ultra-fast network. Have a great trip!