In our latest episode of Ask the EV Experts, we answer a question from Mary in Washington. Have a question of your own? Post it on Facebook, Tweet at us or email us at info@pluginamerica.org #AskTheEVExpert
Question:
“What happens if my electric car runs out of electricity on the road?”
Answer:
This is a super common concern; AAA estimates that of their 32 million roadside assistance calls per year, at least half are from drivers who ran out of gas.
For all their differences, Plug In cars and gas cars do share some practical similarities. Running out of gas or electricity produces the same result: your car will stop. In the case of a gas car, a roadside service truck can usually bring you a can of gas, or tow you to the nearest gas station. Similarly, an electric car can simply be towed to the nearest charging station.
In 2011, Triple A invested in a fleet of roadside recharging trucks meant to service stranded electric cars. These trucks carried an onboard fast charger capable of adding ten miles of range in just ten minutes. Five years later, Triple A reports that these trucks aren’t used nearly as much as they predicted. They noted that electric car owners are just more conscious of their range than gas car owners, and electric cars provide ample audible and visual warnings of low range to their drivers.
Since 2011’s Triple A study, more than 30 new vehicles with ever-increasing electric range are commercially available, making range anxiety less of a concern.
So, if you’ve never run out of range in your gas car, you aren’t likely to start running out in your electric car.
