Range anxiety, or a driver’s fear of not reaching their destination or the next charging station on a single battery charge, is often cited as a primary concern for potential buyers and users of battery electric cars. In Europe, the median driving range of battery-powered passenger cars was 419 km in 2022, reflecting a 10% increase over two years. Nearly 60% of Europeans have expressed that a driving range of 500 km is the minimum they would consider for purchasing a battery electric vehicle (BEV).

Because longer ranges require larger capacity batteries, concerns are growing over the environmental and economic tradeoff between larger batteries and the actual benefits for drivers. While longer ranges promise autonomy and convenience for the driver, the associated larger battery increases energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions over a vehicle’s lifetime. Furthermore, it increases the overall vehicle’s costs due to higher purchase price and operational expenses.

An alternative to a larger battery is opting for a smaller one and using fast charging during longer-distance trips. However, fast charging also comes with some disadvantages. Fast charging is more expensive than slow charging and requires more energy for battery temperature control.

This study simulates driving profiles for three generic user types over the course of one year: an urban commuter, a rural commuter, and a frequent long-distance driver. The users are assumed to have access to charging when needed or when convenient.