Range Anxiety: A Common Concern for Australian Businesses
Infrastructure Growth will Overcome Range Anxiety
Concerns around limited availability of nearby EV Charging points, and whether Government investments on charging infrastructure will be of direct benefit to them sooner, later, or not at all, are valid thoughts a Business owner would consider as part of their EV decision buying process.
Good news is that Australian Federal and State Governments are actively working toward overcoming these fears with a range of EV Sector funding commitments, grants and incentives aimed to help improve charging infrastructure, overcome these concerns and encourage Electric Vehicle adoption to increase sooner (for example; the NSW Government has committed $199 million over the next four years to co-fund with private operators to install EV charging infrastructure across the state (NSW Government EV Strategy) so for Business owners that consider Range Anxiety a key barrier to moving forward on EV adoption, in time, as the increase in locations where charging stations are available grows, Range Anxiety fears will fade
Quick guide to Points of interest below:
State of play for EV Infrastructure
Charger Types
Finding Your Nearest Charger
1. The State of play for EV Infrastructure
Australia's Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is in a stage of fast-moving growth, with accessibility being a major focus. While it was more common in the past for major metro areas to be a higher priority, significant expansion is now occurring along key regional roadways and into more remote locations. Key players in the network include private operators (e.g., BP Pulse, Chargefox, Ampol AmpCharge, Evie Networks, Tesla Superchargers) and government-backed initiatives, all helping to charge Australia forward towards greater EV adoption.
2. This network comprises several different charger types:
AC Chargers (Level 2): More commonly located at hotels, public destinations, or workplaces, these offer slower charging more suited to EV owners on overnight or longer stays.
DC Fast Chargers: Provide much faster charging, capable of being able to add significant range within a 20-60 minute timeframe, handy for those on road trips, or longer journeys that could use a break.
Ultra-Fast Chargers: A newer generation of Chargers built for charging speed that have the potential to top up an EV battery in under 20 minutes, which is not too much longer than filling up a petrol tank. These are now becoming more common on major highways.
Insight: For businesses thinking about moving to an EV fleet, understanding the types of chargers available and how rapidly the network is growing, plus the flexibility it offers to your drivers (whether on longer trips or local deliveries) you can plan your routes with more confidence knowing that public charging points will soon become more readily available.
3. To find your nearest EV Charging Point, here are some handy sources:
Charge@Large - Presented by the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) Charge@Large
NSW electric vehicle charging map (if in NSW) - available on the Transport for NSW site
Plugshare app - available to download from trusted sources like Google Play or Apple’s app Store
Insight: At its core, Range Anxiety is a psychological fear of an EV running out of charge and when you add unfamiliarity with new technology to this, it can be a natural reaction to moving away from the established norms we were used to. AP B2B Consultancy understands these concerns and is here for your business with insights and information to assist you to better plan practical solutions that will help you overcome these concerns.
Your Quick Guide to EV Types, Battery Sizes & Range
Overview of Electric Vehicle battery sizes and claimed ranges:
Smaller EVs: More often in the lower to mid price range with battery sizes of 42kWh to 60kWh and manufacturer claimed ranges of between 300-450 kms (e.g; from brands like BYD, MG, Kia, GMW)
Mid-Larger sized EVs: Generally in the mid to higher price range, more commonly with battery sizes of 60kWh to 80kWh and claimed ranges falling between 400-650 Kms (e.g; from brands like Chery, Hyundai, Polestar, Leapmotor, Skoda)
Higher performance EV’s: usually in the higher price range with battery sizes above 80kWh and claimed ranges of over 600 km (e.g; from brands such as Tesla, BMW, Mercedes)
(Please note: Real world circumstances can impact on the accuracy of manufacturer claimed ranges)
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Electric Vehicle Types (alphabetical order).
BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)
A more specific term for a purely electric car powered only by a battery. The battery's size (measured in kWh) influences a BEV's price tag. Larger batteries (e.g; 75 kWh) provide greater range but are at a higher purchase price than smaller battery sizes (e.g; 50 kWh).
EREV (Extended-Range Electric Vehicle)
A type of electric vehicle where the wheels are driven by an electric motor. It has a battery to power the electric motor and also a small internal combustion engine (ICE) that acts as a generator to recharge the battery when it runs low. This offers the benefit of quiet, smooth driving with lower emissions, and a petrol generator provides backup, helping to extend range.
FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle)
FCEVs are classed as fully electric vehicles, but instead of drawing power from a large grid-charged battery, they generate their own electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in a fuel cell stack. Hydrogen gas stored in a tank on the vehicle is fed into a fuel cell, where it combines with oxygen to produce electricity, with water vapor as the only emission. They offer longer range and faster refueling, comparable to petrol cars.
HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
Combines a petrol engine with an electric motor. The battery is charged internally by the engine/regenerative braking and cannot be plugged in. These vehicles are generally priced closer to traditional ICE vehicles.
MHEV (Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
MHEVs are the simplest form of hybrid. They have a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) and also integrate a small electric motor and battery. The electric motor assists the ICE by providing a small power boost while accelerating, allowing for better fuel efficiency. Businesses could see this as a good stepping stone towards full EV adoption that saves money on fuel and reduces emissions. They are generally at a lower price than full hybrids or PHEVs.
PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
A vehicle that combines an electric motor and battery with an internal combustion engine (ICE), allowing it to run on electricity for a limited range and be plugged in to charge. PHEVs often have a lower upfront cost than a BEV, serving as a transitional option, but their running costs involve both electricity and petrol.
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