What is EV range anxiety?

EV range anxiety is the fear of running out of power on a journey and not being able to find a charging point. It’s a major stumbling block to greater EV adoption, and it has more to do with psychology than the actual range of EVs or the availability of charging points.

Why people are afraid of electric cars?

The most common reasons drivers avoid EVs include fear the battery will run out of charge before reaching their destination, also known as “range anxiety,” fear of too few charging stations, long charge times, and initial higher upfront vehicle costs.

What is it like to drive an electric car?

In some ways, driving an electric car is just like driving a petrol or diesel one – and car makers have worked hard to make sure the experience is as familiar as possible. But in other ways, an EV is very different from a traditional car – the way you drive it can significantly affect how much range you get between charges.

How do you tell if this is an electric car?

The near-silence of an electric motor is the sound of efficiency. How do you actually tell this is an electric car? From the outside, the e-Golf looks just like any other Golf, rather than boasting futuristic angles and shapes screaming “Look at me, I’m electric!”, like the Nissan Leaf. On the inside, too, this car looks like a regular Golf.

What does an e-Golf feel like on the road?

Out on the road, the e-Golf basically feels just like a normal car but quieter. Underneath, however, the mechanics involved are very different, which means that there some real differences in how it performs. Andrew is a road test editor for The Car Expert.

How many gears does an electric car need?

With an electric car delivering instant torque, you don’t need six or more gears to keep your car in the right rev range. Maximum torque is on tap immediately, so a single-speed transmission is the most efficient way to send that power from the electric motor to the wheels.