What is EV Charging Anxiety?

EV Charging Anxiety arises from uncertainties in charging infrastructure. Overcome with practical steps and India's initiatives for a robust EV charging network.

Anxiety means fear, and when it comes to EV charging, the fear of recharging your EV while on the go or at any time is called charging anxiety. Since the EV charging infrastructure is an ongoing concern, the demand or need for charging stations shows the unavailability of charging stations, which ultimately raises charging anxiety among EV owners.

What Causes EV Anxiety?

As the EV is still an emerging sector, EV anxiety comes from the uncertainties the EV sector holds related to charging. People need to figure out where and how to charge their EVs. This concern arises as more individuals transition to electric vehicles, demanding a need for dependable charging options to ease these worries and encourage wider EV adoption.

Is EV Charging Anxiety The New Range Anxiety?

Talking about EV charging anxiety in electric vehicles it seems to be a new worry similar to range anxiety. As more people switch to electric cars, the uncertainty about finding and using charging spots is becoming a common issue. This shows a rising need for a trustworthy charging setup to ease these concerns and boost confidence in choosing electric vehicles.

Difference Between Charging Anxiety and Range Anxiety

Aspect	EV Range Anxiety	EV Charging Anxiety
Definition	Concern about the limited distance an EV can travel on a single charge.	Apprehension related to the charging process, including station availability and charging time.
Cause	Fear of running out of battery power before reaching a destination.	Worry about finding convenient charging stations and potential delays during charging.
Scenario	Example: Fear of not having enough charge to complete a planned journey.	Example: Uncertainty about locating charging points or anticipating delays during longer trips.
Focus	Primarily on the available driving range of the EV.	Primarily on the charging infrastructure and process.

How to Overcome Charging Anxiety

There are practical and technological approaches for EV drivers to ease charge anxiety:

Use electric vehicle apps like 1C Charging to enhance confidence when driving an EV. These apps help locate nearby charging points, estimate battery usage for a round trip, and facilitate payment for charging. They can also consider your EV model, driving preferences, and battery state.
If you’re not using an app, make sure you’re aware of available charge points along your route or in your local area.
Be prepared by fully charging your EV overnight before a long journey and confirming that your destination supports public or home charging.
Optimise your time by charging during stops, such as coffee or restroom breaks, rather than making additional stops solely for charging.
Contribute positively to the EV community by reporting non-functional charge points promptly. A quick resolution can have the charge point ready for use in just a few minutes.

How is India Preparing to Overcome Ev Charging Anxiety?

Several steps have been taken in the past year [2023] for the development of charging infrastructure in cities all over India. Some of the partnerships and announcements are:

Jio-bp Pulse Charge aims to establish India’s largest EV charging and battery swapping network, gradually covering Metro, Tier I, and Tier II cities.
Statiq is an emerging Electric Vehicle charging solution provider in India. Statiq offers a range of charging products, including the Statiq DC Charger, AdWall AC Charger, Statiq Pillar AC Charger, and Statiq Circle.

Also Read:

500+ charging points at petrol Pumps in India

Conclusion

EV Charging Anxiety refers to the fear or apprehension associated with recharging electric vehicles due to uncertainties in the charging infrastructure. To overcome Charging Anxiety, practical steps include using electric vehicle apps, being prepared for journeys, charging during stops, and actively contributing to the EV community. India is making strides in overcoming EV Charging Anxiety through initiatives like Jio-bp Pulse Charge, partnerships with companies like Statiq and Arenq, and collaborations to install charging points at petrol pumps.

FAQs

1. What is the fear of EV charging?

The fear of EV charging, often referred to as EV Charging Anxiety, revolves around uncertainties in the charging infrastructure. Individuals may worry about finding suitable charging points, potential delays during charging, or the overall availability of charging stations, hindering their confidence in adopting electric vehicles.

2. How do you deal with EV range anxiety?

Dealing with EV Range Anxiety involves practical measures. Using electric vehicle apps, being prepared for journeys by fully charging overnight, charging during stops, and contributing to the EV community by reporting non-functional charge points are effective ways to ease concerns related to the limited range of electric vehicles.

3. What is charger anxiety?

Charger Anxiety, synonymous with EV Charging Anxiety, encompasses apprehensions about the charging process and infrastructure. This anxiety arises from uncertainties in locating charging points, potential delays, and the overall accessibility of charging stations, focusing on the need for a reliable and well-distributed charging network.

4. Is EV range anxiety real?

EV Range Anxiety is a real concern for some individuals. It stems from the fear of not having enough battery power to complete planned journeys, focusing on the importance of addressing charging infrastructure issues and promoting confidence in the driving range of electric vehicles.