The slow, surprising death of EV range anxiety

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on Inside Climate News or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Electric vehicle range is increasing rapidly, making range anxiety—the fear of running out of power before reaching a charger—less of a barrier to adoption
• In the 2027 model year, a 300-mile range is now within reach of several mid-priced models, while even the least expensive EVs offer at least 200 miles

🔭 The context: Battery innovation and falling costs are driving the change. The global average lithium-ion battery pack price fell to $108 per kilowatt-hour in 2025, down 8% year on year and more than 90% since 2010
• The median range of new EV models has reached 311 miles, with more than 100 models now available. Some vehicles, including the Chevrolet Equinox and Toyota bZ, offer more than 300 miles of range for under $40,000
• However, charging infrastructure remains uneven, and longer-range premium models are still expensive

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: As EVs become more practical and affordable, they can displace more oil consumption and reduce transport-related emissions, particularly as electricity generation becomes cleaner
• The Raymond James report estimates that current electric car and light-truck ownership already reduces global oil demand by 2.2 million barrels per day

⏭️ What’s next: Battery improvements could push 500-mile ranges into the mainstream by 2030, according to Raymond James analyst Pavel Molchanov
• He expects EVs’ contribution to reducing oil demand to more than double by then, potentially helping global oil demand reach its peak
• The pace of adoption would also depend on charging access, vehicle affordability and policy support

💬 One quote: “It is not inconceivable that 2025 was the peak.” — Pavel Molchanov, managing director for renewable energy and clean technology at Raymond James

📈 One stat: The median range of 2027 model-year EVs is 311 miles, compared with just 94 miles for the longest-range model available in 2011

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