Don’t Let EV Range Anxiety Slow Down Your Electric Car Search

Range anxiety about electric vehicle (EV) driving distance and charging availability is becoming a thing of the past. Potential EV buyers no longer need to worry about being able to commute, take road trips, and charge up conveniently without getting stranded at 0% charge.

Whether you already own an EV and want to quiet the nerves for good, or you’re considering making the switch, you can cross range anxiety off your list of concerns.

Here’s why.

What is Range Anxiety?

Range of an EV refers to how far it can drive on a fully charged battery. Range anxiety is the mental and emotional distress a driver might experience if they worry about making it to their destination before the battery is depleted. It can also be caused by the concern for available charging stations to juice back up for the drive home or rest of the journey.

When EVs hit the mainstream market, they had less range and fewer places to charge than they do today. Even if the EV’s range easily handles a driver’s daily commute, range anxiety causes consumers to hesitate before diving into the EV market.

Automakers listen closely and have come up with a range of solutions that make EVs go the distance, charge faster, and calm any range anxieties. For instance, standard hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) options combine with a traditional ICE (internal combustion engine) for fueling flexibility. Full EVs have increased average range threefold in the last ten or so years.

Evolution of Electric Vehicle Range

When EVs hit the market, many offered only 100km or so of range. That’s low enough to cause some range anxiety. But since 2021, the median EV range has increased to more than 350km.

A more than threefold increase is a big deal for car buyers who need an adventure vehicle, not just a commuter. The average Canadian’s commuting distance is just under 9km, which means plenty of trips back and forth without needing to charge. There’s also range left for stops on the way home or an impromptu road trip.

With massive investment and innovations underway to improve range these numbers continue to grow. Solid-state battery advancements have led to EV batteries with a range of almost 1,000km on a single charge.

Modern Charging Infrastructure Soothes Range Anxiety

EV chargers come in different types:

  • Level 1 chargers run from standard 120-volt home outlets, ideal for charging overnight
  • Level 2 chargers run on a dedicated, higher-capacity 240-volt power source and are great for topping up at malls and restaurants
  • Level 3/DC fast chargers (400-800-volt) , quickly becoming the norm, can be found at charging stations to fill the battery in roughly half an hour, depending on its capacity

Electrified vehicles, like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, that can accept various kinds of chargers (sometimes with a plug adapter) ensure drivers have the most abundant and flexible charging options. Mitsubishi Motors also supports initiatives to advance charging tech, install more chargers, and educate consumers on EV charging.

The rapid investment and installation of charging stations make it easy to find a plug. Transport Canada shows more than 13,000 stations offering 34,000 charging ports across the country. That’s an incredible increase from only a few years ago (2021) when Canada had only 6,000 stations and 13,000 plugs.

The True Range of EVs: How Far Can You Go?

Before talking about how far most EVs can drive on a charge and how quickly they can charge up, remember that external and driving factors matter, too. In Canada, the biggest range-sapper is the cold weather, which makes it harder for the battery to take in and hold its charge. Running the cabin heater also takes up some of the juice.

High speeds, rapid acceleration, big hills, and aggressive driving can also drain the battery more quickly. EVs do well in stop-and-go traffic when speeds are lower and regenerative braking recaptures momentum into battery charge. Please see your vehicle handbook and manual for more information.

Fuel-efficient driving habits can make a big difference even when your “fuel” is electricity. These include:

  • Anticipating the flow of traffic for smoother braking and acceleration
  • Choosing efficient routes and avoiding traffic
  • Ensure proper vehicle maintenance and tire pressure
  • Combine trips to avoid short jaunts
  • Engage “eco mode” if you have it

Electrified vehicles can be fully battery-electric (BEV) or a hybrid of gas and electric, including plug-in hybrids (PHEV) that charge from an outlet, not just the engine and regenerative braking. For example, a new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV can go about 61 kilometers on its battery before engaging the motor for propulsion and charging. Combined, its total range is almost 700 kilometers.

Some of the longest-range electric cars on sale in 2025 can go more than 650 kilometers on a single battery charge. Those high-range vehicles include full-size sedans, pickup trucks, and SUVs — often, a bigger car has space for a bigger battery.

In 2025, the average range rating for EVs across the U.S. market is about 450 kilometers. Industry analysts believe the range will stay around the 500-kilometer number for the next few years while automakers pivot to improving charging times. That makes sense to most consumers, given it’s close to the average ICE range of about 600 kilometers.

When was the last time you drove 400, 500, or 600 kilometers in one trip? You’d likely need a bathroom, rest, and dining break somewhere in there, which gives adequate time to charge up.

Overcoming Range Anxiety With Proper Planning

Even with a lower-range EV, range anxiety doesn’t have to get in the way of enjoying and using your electric vehicle. The first and most important step is to fully understand how to charge your EV. Constant full-capacity charges and letting the battery get to single-digit charge can negatively impact the battery. Fast-chargers can also put stress on the battery.

However, most EVs actively manage the battery and charging to avoid draining it or charging too much. The manufacturer, like you, wants the battery to last as long as possible, without losing too much range. You can typically monitor this from your infotainment screen, too

Proper planning easily dissolves range anxiety. That means:

  • Planning your charge stops with an easy-to-use interactive map
  • Top up your charge whenever you see an available charger at your destination
  • Plug in at night to ensure full capacity in the morning
  • Bring charger adapters so you can use any station
  • Charge before you need it — just in case the station is too full
  • Turn off climate control when you don’t need it
  • Avoid fast, aggressive driving
  • Ensure proper tire inflation
  • Utilize the EV’s on-board eco modes, charger maps, and other tools

Some buyers pick up a used EV with a depleted range on the cheap, then just use it as a local grocery getter. Even an EV with only 50 kilometers of range left in its battery can be useful with proper planning. Newer EVs, though, will happily take you hundreds of kilometers without worry. They also offer apps to help monitor range, battery condition, and charging stations nearby.

How EV Technology Can End Range Anxiety

Automakers like Mitsubishi Motors are rapidly developing EV technology that lets drivers go farther and charge faster. Advancements coming from battery manufacturers, such as solid-state batteries, are also pushing the envelope on average range.

You can also expect more home chargers as more drivers choose an EV. That makes it easier to plug in at a friend or relative house when you visit, too.

Electrification Without Any Anxiety

Thanks to rapid advancements in EV technology, charging infrastructure, and thoughtful driving habits, range anxiety no longer stops buyers from switching to an electric car. Dozens of EV models are now available with ranges adequate for commuting, adventuring, and wherever else you drive.

Drivers interested in EVs can also look at vehicles that combine the convenience and familiarity of a gas engine with the zero-emission driving of an EV.

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) combines the best of both worlds so you can cruise on electricity and then quickly fill up with gas anywhere. Mitsubishi’s 2025 Outlander PHEV can drive up to up to 61 kilometers on electricity alone before using its gas engine for over 675 kilometers total. When the range dips, Outlander PHEV owners can plug in to charge the battery or stop at the gas pump, balancing electrification with convenience and availability.

Ready to experience the freedom of driving without worrying about range? Explore Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV and take the first step towards a greener, more confident driving experience today.

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