First-time experience of critical range situations in BEV use and the positive effect of coping information

A frequently discussed phenomenon in the context of limited range as a usage barrier for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is range anxiety (i.e., range stress). The objective of the present research was (1) to examine if the effect of first-time experience of a critical range situation on inexperienced BEV drivers’ range experience (e.g., range stress) is rather positive or negative, (2) to examine if providing minimal coping information can enhance this effect and (3) if a positive adaptation effect can be found under different criticality levels regarding the available range. A field experiment was conducted, in which 74 participants drove a BEV in a critical range situation (i.e., experience of a small range safety buffer) on an unaccompanied 94 km round trip. Results indicate that the first-time experience of a critical range situation has a moderate positive effect on range stress (i.e., reduced range stress after the trip compared to range stress before the trip), that coping information can partly enhance range experience and that these positive effects can be found under both examined criticality levels (critical vs. highly critical range situation). The results can be useful to inform strategies aimed at reducing the experience of range stress in the early period of BEV usage.