range anxiety

American  

[raynj ang-zahy-i-tee] / ˈreɪndʒ æŋˌzaɪ ɪ ti /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of range anxiety

First recorded in 1995–2000

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

range anxiety

That exacerbated one of the leading obstacles to EV acceptance, so-called range anxiety, experienced when EV drivers doubt that chargers will be available for them on long trips, especially beyond urban areas.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

Hyundai, Ford and Stellantis are planning to introduce larger EVs with gas generators to solve range anxiety.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026

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

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2025

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

From Science Daily ● Apr. 25, 2024

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.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 11, 2024

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