Is Range Anxiety Actually Getting Worse in the U.S.?
Is it just me, or does range anxiety feel worse in the United States now than it did a few years ago, even though public EV chargers are more common than ever? Everywhere you look, there are announcements about new charging networks, federal funding, and massive infrastructure investments. On paper, it sounds like the problem should already be solved.
But once you’re actually out on the road, the reality feels very different.
I think the issue isn’t the number of chargers anymore it’s how unreliable the public charging network still is across large parts of the U.S.
Availability vs. Reliability
Yes, chargers exist. You can see them on maps, apps, and dashboards. But that doesn’t mean they’re working, accessible, or usable when you arrive. And that gap between availability and reliability is exactly where range anxiety lives.
I experienced this again on a recent 300-mile road trip. The route looked fine in theory. Plenty of charging stations along major highways, nothing remote or unusual. But in practice, two of the stations I stopped at were problems. One had broken plugs that were clearly not new issues. The other was fully occupied not by cars charging, but by vehicles just parked there.
That’s when the stress starts to build.
The Mental Load of Driving an EV in the U.S.
Driving an EV in America often means carrying a constant mental checklist:
- Is the next charger actually operational?
- Will it be blocked when I arrive?
- Is there a backup nearby if this one fails?
- How far can I stretch my remaining range safely?
Instead of enjoying the drive, you’re always planning your next move. It’s not panic it’s a persistent, low-level anxiety that never fully goes away on longer trip
This is especially noticeable in the U.S., where distances are long, rural gaps are real, and charging reliability can vary wildly from state to state.
Why 20% Feels Like Zero
I’ve noticed that once my battery drops below 20%, I start feeling genuinely uncomfortable. That probably sounds strange to people who drive gas-powered cars. On paper, 20% can still mean dozens of miles.
But again, it’s not about range it’s about trust.
When you’re not confident that the next charging station will work, every percentage point feels critical. You’re not thinking, “I still have plenty of miles left.” You’re thinking, “What if the charger is broken or blocked?”
That uncertainty changes how you experience the entire trip.
The Cars Are Ready, America’s Infrastructure Isn’t
The frustrating part is that modern electric cars are no longer the weak link. EVs sold in the U.S. today offer great range, fast acceleration, advanced software, and increasingly fast charging capabilities.
But the public charging infrastructure hasn’t matured at the same pace.
Across the country, drivers still deal with:
- Chargers that are out of order for weeks or months
- Inconsistent apps and payment systems
- Poor maintenance and lack of accountability
- No enforcement against non-charging vehicles blocking stations
Will We Ever Stop Watching the Battery Percentage?
So will there ever be a point where EV drivers in the U.S. stop checking their battery percentage every five minutes?
I think yes but only when reliability becomes the standard, not the exception.
When chargers are consistently functional, clearly maintained, and treated as essential infrastructure, range anxiety will finally fade. Not because batteries get bigger, but because drivers trust the system.
Until then, many of us will keep doing the mental math, planning backup routes, and feeling that quiet tension on trips that should be relaxing.
The EV future in the U.S. is close but the infrastructure still has catching up to do.
