range anxiety

[reynj ang-zahy-i-tee]

noun

Informal.

1. the apprehension or fear that an electric vehicle’s battery will run out of power before reaching one’s intended destination or a charging station.

   Studies have shown that range anxiety is a major psychological obstacle in the quest to popularize the electric car.

Word History and Origins

Origin of range anxiety¹

First recorded in 1995–2000

Example Sentences

After a single charging session, the car will be able to drive at least 329 miles, which ought to combat some customers’ range anxiety.

Read more on Barron's

But range anxiety—the fear of running out of battery power while traveling long distances—remains a problem.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

For the first nine months of this year, however, the market share has inched up to 25.6%, amid continuing concerns among some consumers over the higher cost for EVs and so-called range anxiety.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

For potential EV drivers, there is also the question of battery size to reduce range anxiety.

Read more on Science Daily

But given lingering range anxiety and U.S. preference for excess, any carmaker that wants to reach mass-market sales that rival their gas-powered equivalents can’t hope to do so without offering long-range options.

Read more on Seattle Times