Latest news with #rangeanxiety
Bloomberg
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
China's 1,000-Mile EVs Render Range Anxiety Obsolete
Thanks for reading Hyperdrive, Bloomberg's newsletter on the future of the auto world. Range anxiety has long suppressed sales of fully electric vehicles as drivers opt for the peace of mind that plug-in hybrids and old-school gas-guzzlers offer.
National Post
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- National Post
The VF 8 Reflects a Shift Toward No-Compromise Electric Vehicles
Article content MARKHAM, Ontario — Electric vehicles are entering a new phase, where buyers no longer accept trade-offs in range, comfort, or price. With its balanced design and features, the VinFast VF 8 illustrates how the market is shifting toward more complete, no-compromise offerings. Article content Article content Early adopters put up with plenty of drawbacks. Range anxiety, software incompleteness, and higher price tags were all accepted as necessary trade-offs. They bought into a promise rather than a finished product. Not anymore. Article content As EVs push toward mainstream adoption, the market has matured, at least in developed ones like Canada. Mainstream consumers now judge electric cars against the gas-powered vehicles they've driven for decades. These buyers aren't environmental crusaders willing to sacrifice comfort or convenience. They're practical people making practical decisions. Article content A recent AutoTrader survey highlights that interest in EVs in Canada has dropped for three consecutive years, with 78% of consumers citing limited range as their primary concern. The second biggest worry is cost: Despite falling prices, electric vehicles still command a 15-20% premium over conventional alternatives 1. Article content This matters because today's car buyers are more discerning than ever. They're tech-savvy and design-conscious but also value-driven. They want vehicles that work for their lifestyle without compromise. The 'good enough for an EV' mentality is disappearing fast. Article content Traditional automakers built their reputations on specific strengths. Some are known for their cars' performance, others comfort, reliability, or affordability. Few excelled across all categories. Article content But the new benchmark and the new financial circumstance, amid the tariff situation, requires delivering high standards on multiple fronts simultaneously. Range anxiety remains the top concern, but buyers also expect intuitive technology, competitive pricing, and thoughtful design. Meeting just one or two of these expectations isn't enough anymore. Article content This challenge is pushing automakers to innovate faster. Companies are racing to develop batteries with greater energy density, more efficient motors, and smarter software. They're exploring new designs that maximize interior space while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency. Article content Amid this context, the VinFast VF 8 represents a new approach in the EV market that delivers a balanced combination of performance, technology, design, comfort, and value rather than excelling in just one area. Article content On the road, this electric SUV provides acceleration comparable to many luxury models. Its dual-motor all-wheel-drive system ensures confident handling in various conditions, while offering a range of up to 412 km per charge, sufficient for both daily commutes and weekend getaways. Article content Design-wise, the VF 8 strikes a perfect balance between distinctive and conventional. It achieves aerodynamic efficiency without resorting to the quirky styling often seen in EVs. The interior features spacious seating, premium materials, and thoughtful storage solutions. The climate control system intelligently balances comfort and battery preservation, while the ride quality remains refined on highways and capable over rougher surfaces, matching that of more established automotive brands. Article content The technology experience centers around a 15.6-inch customizable touchscreen that combines familiar controls with advanced capabilities. The interface proves intuitive and accessible, with over-the-air updates ensuring the operating system stays current. Article content Enhancing the ownership experience is the VinFast C-App, which enables remote vehicle monitoring, function control, navigation, and roadside assistance access. This app also provides access to 95% of public charging stations throughout North America, making sure drivers can find a place to charge almost anywhere. Canadian customers benefit further from an industry-leading 10-year/200,000 km warranty coverage. Article content All this comes at a price point meant to attract mainstream buyers, not just luxury shoppers. Article content This matters because many potential EV buyers remain unconvinced. They're interested but hesitant, waiting for vehicles that truly meet their needs without asking them to adjust their lifestyle. Cars like the VF 8 could shift these perceptions and accelerate mainstream adoption. Article content 'Good enough' no longer inspires confidence. The future belongs to vehicles that can deliver it all. As competition intensifies, consumers will reap the benefits of better cars at better prices. Models like the VF 8 show that striking this balance is possible. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
Malay Mail
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
No EV charger? No problem, say Proton subsidiary and users as smarter systems ease urban, rural charging fears
BENTONG, May 17 — For many people considering a switch from a petrol-powered car to an electric vehicle (EV), the biggest deterrent is range anxiety or the fear of running out of power before reaching their destination or finding a charging station. Proton New Energy Technology Sdn Bhd (Pro-Net) chief brand officer Salawati Mohd Yusoff said concerns about travel distance are common among individuals not yet familiar with driving EVs, especially since the technology is still new in the local market. However, she said, today's EVs come with the latest software capable of helping drivers plan their journeys more efficiently, thereby reducing the risk of running out of battery mid-trip. Pro-Net, a fully-owned subsidiary of Proton, was established to spearhead sales and distributorship of smart vehicles in Malaysia. 'For example, our company's Proton 7 comes with technology that can tell you how much power and kilowatts, as well as how far the vehicle can still go – whether it can reach the destination or needs charging. For this model, the WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) range is between 345 km and 410 km. 'For instance, if someone wants to travel to Ipoh (Perak), when they enter the destination in the system, it will inform whether the car can make it or not (to the destination). If it can't, it will show how many kilometres short and suggest the nearest charging station along the route. From there, users can plan and charge at an available location,' she said when met by Bernama during The Real eMAS Drive at Tiarasa Escapes here recently, an event organised by Pro-Net. Salawati said using an EV can be likened to using a smartphone, where users need to charge it after a certain period of use to avoid running out of power. She also said although most EV charging stations are concentrated in urban areas like Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang and Johor Bahru, it is not a problem for people living in rural areas to use the vehicle as customers can charge it at home. 'Generally, 80 percent of EV buyers are from urban areas and 20 percent – or maybe slightly less than 20 percent – are from outskirts, but actually, they can still use it in rural areas. It just requires a little bit of understanding about where the charger is and how to reach it. The Proton 7 comes with technology that can tell you how much power and kilowatts, as well as how far the vehicle can still go – whether it can reach the destination or needs charging. — Bernama pic 'There are hundreds of chargers all over Malaysia even on the east coast in Kelantan and Terengganu. Home charging is also possible for those living in landed properties, whether in urban or non-urban areas,' she added, noting that EV maintenance costs are lower compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. EV user Rosmah Idayu Abu Samah, 48, said although she lives in a condominium and, hence, not able to have her own charger at home, she still believes her decision to switch to an EV about a year ago was the right one. 'There's no problem living in a non-landed home and using an EV. For me, I usually charge my car for about 30 minutes at a charging station near my house ... sufficient for me to commute between Damansara and Shah Alam for about four days. It's also more economical than using petrol, costing only about RM30 per charge. 'Another thing is that your driving style affects energy usage too. If you drive more aggressively, it uses more power. For me, EVs are not meant for fast driving but for consistent, steady driving without rushing,' said Rosmah Idayu, who has driven her EV to Desaru, Johor, and Penang without any issue. — Bernama
News.com.au
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Shaq's fury over epic Musk fail
He's 7-foot-1, owns more than 40 custom cars, and treats them like girlfriends, but even Shaquille O'Neal has limits when it comes to electric vehicles. The NBA legend has revealed why he's parted ways with not one but two of his Tesla Cybertrucks, and it all comes down to one thing: range anxiety. The Hall of Famer, renowned for his impressive presence on the court and his remarkable car collection, discussed the transition on a recent episode of 'The Big Podcast with Shaq'. 'I was into the Cybertrucks, but they don't get enough charge mileage,' he said. 'I just got one of those IQ Escalades … I was in Vegas; I ain't have to charge up for four days. 'My Cybertruck here, if I go downtown to work tonight and come back, I'm gonna be struggling to get back.' The Tesla Cybertruck has a range that varies depending on the configuration. The Long Range RWD model, with a soft tonneau cover installed, can travel up to 350 miles (560 km) on a single charge. The dual-motor AWD version has an estimated range of 325 miles (523 km), and the Cyberbeast, with three motors, is estimated to travel 320 miles (515 km). But according to Shaq, those figures from Musk's EV baby are either not quite true or not nearly good enough. Shaq isn't on his own here, with many Cybertruck owners claiming the actual real world range of their vehicles falls short of that claimed by Tesla. The car maker had announced the availability of a Cybertruck range extender which it said could enable the car to drive for more than 700km on a single charge. However, according to recent reports, the range extender, which was a $25,000 add-on and would sit in the truck's rear bed space, has disappeared from sale on Tesla's website. SHAQ GOES ALL OUT ON CADILLAC Instead, Shaq has gone all-in on Cadillac's new all-electric SUV, the Escalade IQ — recently adding a third one to his garage at over $200,000 apiece. While the range may have killed Shaq's Tesla dreams, the move doesn't signal a slowdown in his obsession with cars; it's actually far from it. The former Lakers superstar recently offloaded 10 of his custom rides, not because he's downsizing, but because he forgot he even owned them. With a collection rumoured to top 40 custom vehicles, Shaq's garage includes everything from muscle cars to an armoured truck and each vehicle has been tailored to fit his frame and his flair. 'I treat them like girlfriends,' he said. 'So, my police car girlfriend, I haven't seen her in a while, so I'll probably take her on a date tonight.' However, at 7-foot-1-inch, Shaq needs a ride that can contain his entire personality, so his current go-to car is a custom-built Ram 1500 TRX disguised as an Apocalypse Monster Truck.
