Range Anxiety among Battery Electric Vehicle Users: Both Distance and Waiting Time Matter

Wang, Jiyao; Huang, Chunxi; He, Dengbo; Tu, Ran · 2023 · Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting

DOI: 10.1177/21695067231193669

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Summary

This study addresses the underexplored dimension of time-related range anxiety among battery electric vehicle (BEV) users. While previous research has primarily focused on distance-related anxiety—the uncertainty of reaching a destination with remaining battery capacity—this work investigates how waiting times at charging stations influence user behavior. The authors argue that as BEV adoption grows, infrastructure congestion leads to significant queuing times, creating a "time uncertainty" that may outweigh distance concerns. The research aims to model the trade-off drivers make between distance anxiety and time anxiety to inform better charging station distribution and recommendation algorithms. To examine this, the researchers conducted an online survey of 217 BEV users in mainland China. The questionnaire collected demographic data, vehicle specifications, and trust levels in range estimation systems. Crucially, it included scenario-based questions where participants made charging decisions based on varying levels of remaining battery, distance to destination, and expected waiting times at rest areas. The study defined "Comfort Time" as the maximum waiting time a user would tolerate before switching to a fuel car. Statistical analysis employed ordered logistic regression to identify factors influencing Comfort Time and binary logistic regression to model charging decisions, accounting for interactions between time and distance variables. The results confirmed that time-related anxiety significantly impacts charging behavior. In the Time Model, higher trust in the vehicle’s range estimation system and a lower preferred starting battery level (Comfort Mileage) predicted a greater tolerance for waiting times. In the Decision Model, charging choices were driven by significant interactions between waiting time, remaining battery, and trip distance. Specifically, as waiting times increased, drivers became less sensitive to low battery levels or long remaining distances, often choosing to skip charging stops despite higher range risk. Additionally, regional infrastructure development moderated these effects; users in areas with less developed charging infrastructure were more likely to charge at upcoming stops regardless of waiting times, likely due to higher baseline anxiety about running out of power. The significance of this work lies in its demonstration that range anxiety is not solely a function of distance but is heavily influenced by time costs. The findings suggest that optimizing charging infrastructure and recommendation systems must account for queuing times and user tolerance for delays, not just geographic coverage. By identifying how drivers trade off time against distance uncertainty, the study provides empirical evidence for designing more effective EV support systems that address the psychological and practical barriers to BEV adoption.

Key finding

BEV users' charging decisions are determined by a trade-off between distance-related and time-related range anxiety, with waiting times significantly influencing choices to charge at upcoming stops versus destinations.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 217

Provenance

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