According to recent research, the range anxiety of electric car drivers makes them less likely to be involved in an accident than their counterparts driving internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
Range anxiety is the fear that an electric car battery will run out of power before it gets to its destination. Subsequently, drivers of these vehicles are more likely to drive at a slower speed and generally be more cautious than those driving in a petrol or diesel vehicle.
With electric car figures expected to soar ahead of the government’s 2030 deadline, there is the expectation that the slower driving style of electric car drivers may mean the number of injuries and deaths is significantly reduced.
The conclusions drawn have partly been due to research carried out by car leasing company Lex Autolease. The leasing specialist discovered that 24 per cent of its petrol or diesel cars needed workshop repairs after an accident, compared to only 14 per cent of electric cars and 15 per cent of hybrids.
AX has also investigated UK drivers’ attitude towards range anxiety. In a recent survey, AX discovered that over half (51 per cent) of UK drivers rank battery range as one of the most important considerations before buying an electric car.
As a result, the company launched its AX Electric credit hire service earlier this year that guarantees a like-for-like replacement electric vehicle.
Scott Hamilton-Cooper, Director of Sales and Operations at AX, commented: “Right now, ‘range anxiety’ is seen as an obstacle to electrification. However, perhaps there is something to be said for the fact that the current range limitations may establish a new attitude towards careful driving in the future.
“At AX, we have AX Electric in place to cater for the demands of electric car drivers. With over half of these individuals viewing battery range as an important consideration when purchasing an electric car, it is only right that they receive a vehicle that matches the capability of their own in the event of an accident.”
Scott Hamilton-Cooper, Director of Sales and Operations at AX
AX Electric is the first fully comprehensive and tailored EV credit hire solution. It offers a 100 per cent EV-for-EV guarantee, nationwide delivery promise on cars, as well as guaranteed deployment to an EV authorised and approved repairer.