How to deal with range anxiety
Find out about charging your EV with bp pulse
Make worrying about running out of charge a thing of the past
Range anxiety can be a common concern for new electric vehicle (EV) drivers — or those considering an EV. Plenty of EV drivers about what would happen if you run out of power. Adding charging into your routine is an adjustment, so we have put together our top tips for how to beat range anxiety.
Will my EV have the battery range I need?
Those with range anxiety might be reassured to learn that most modern EVs can typically meet drivers’ needs. Research by the UK Government indicates that 99% of car journeys in England are under 100 miles — meaning it’s often possible to charge on-the-go, and travel straight to your destination (depending on factors such as the make and model of your car).
What if I run out of battery between charge points?
While the prospect of becoming stranded might deter prospective EV drivers, those still sceptical might be relieved to learn that the UK has a growing network of public charging points, and that number grows each year. To avoid being caught out, take time before setting out on a long journey to plan your route, factoring in charging points. The bp pulse app features a handy live map to help you find charging stations along your route.. This will give you peace of mind and help you to avoid unexpected detours. You can also search by location to find charging stations and save your favourites for future use, or search by charging speed to plan charging time into your route accurately.
‘Find a public charging point near you by downloading the bp pulse app >’
Try the ABC approach
When travelling with your EV, try to adopt the ABC or ‘Always be charging’ philosophy. This means that wherever possible, you should always try to charge your EV when it is stationary to save you stopping on your journey.
Finally, remember to check your EV is fully charged before a long journey, and ensure your destination offers charging—especially if you’re staying for an extended period. Planning your charging sessions, rather than waiting until it’s an emergency can help to ease range anxiety.
How should I factor charging into my routine?
While it might seem obvious, when first making the switch to EV and can be easy to forget to monitor your vehicle's battery level regularly, especially during longer trips. Some EVs have a range prediction feature that can help you estimate how far you can travel before you need to recharge. This can be useful in avoiding unexpected range issues.
After a while and once you’re in a routine, it will become much easier to predict and plan your regular charging sessions around daily life. Drivers who use the bp pulse app can search for chargers across the UK. Plus, subscribers save over 20% on our contactless rates when they download the bp pulse app and pay £7.85 per month.
What should I do to avoid draining my EV battery?
There are a few tactics drivers can try out to minimise the energy their EV battery uses. Depending on a vehicle’s make and model, features like cabin heating, phone charging, and audio—often referred to as ‘secondary vehicle systems’—can eat through power, reducing overall range. If you’re on a journey and concerned about range, only using these features when you really need them may help to alleviate anxiety.
Drivers can also rest assured that many EVs today incorporate features designed to preserve, or even top-up battery power while on-the-move. For example, regenerative braking is typically included as standard in vehicles. This feature translates the kinetic energy generated by braking into battery power, and can help to extend your range.
