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The fear of not having enough charge to get around is a common barrier to EV adoption. Here, we break down key concerns and ways to manage them to help you feel more in control.
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Range anxiety refers to a driver's fear that their electric vehicle (EV) won't have enough battery life to complete a trip. It's a common concern, and until late, has been a genuine deterrent for Aussies contemplating the switch from traditional combustion engine vehicles to all-electric cars.
But here's the good news: there are ways to overcome it. With the right information and some practical tips, you'll be ready to take to the road with confidence.
EV driving range is how far your car can travel on battery power alone, off a single charge. All sorts of factors have been found to impact range, including:
EV driving range is steadily increasing, with many models now capable of travelling up to 400km on a single charge. This far exceeds the daily driving average of most Australians, which sits at around 38km per day.
While we're still a little behind other developed countries, public charging infrastructure is becoming increasingly more common in Australia. According to the Electric Vehicle Council's 2025 report4, at least 4,192 high-power public charging plugs are available across Australia, and around 1,272 fast-charging locations.
Driving style can influence the energy consumption of battery electric vehicles, especially when a driver has a more aggressive acceleration or harsh braking technique2. Try focusing on smooth acceleration and braking, maintaining steady speeds, and avoiding peak-hour traffic (where possible) to help get the most range out of a single charge.
Extreme temperatures can have an impact on the performance and capacity of lithium-ion batteries that power EVs5. This is because the outside temperature can cause your EV to use more energy to regulate the vehicle's temperature, which draws upon the overall charge. In extreme heat, lithium-ion batteries may also produce thermal runaway, which may result in fire safety concerns. In low temperatures, the battery may experience operational faults, like a short circuit.
1 Varga, B. O., Sagoian, A., & Mariasiu, F. (2019). Prediction of Electric Vehicle Range: A Comprehensive Review of Current Issues and Challenges. Energies, 12(5), 946. https://doi.org/10.3390/en12050946
2 Donkers, A., Yang, D., & Viktorović, M. (2020). Influence of driving style, infrastructure, weather and traffic on electric vehicle performance. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 88, 102569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2020.102569
3 Yuksel, T., & Michalek, J. J. (2015). Effects of regional temperature on electric vehicle efficiency, range, and emissions in the United States. Environmental science & technology, 49(6), 3974-3980. https://doi.org/10.1021/es505621s
4 Electric Vehicle Council. (2025). State of Electric Vehicles 2025. In Electric Vehicle Council. https://electricvehiclecouncil.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/State-of-EVs_2025_141025-2.pdf
5 Zhang, X., Li, Z., Luo, L., Fan, Y., & Du, Z. (2022). A review on thermal management of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. Energy, 238(1), 121652. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.121652
Information is current as at the date of publication and may be subject to change. All content on the NRMA Insurance Blog is intended to be general in nature and does not constitute and is not intended to be professional advice. It does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. References to third-party organisations, products, services or brands on the NRMA Insurance Blog are for informational purposes only and do not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by NRMA Insurance, unless expressly stated otherwise.
