Your GP hardly accepts range anxiety as a diagnosis, but the fear of not arriving because the electric car runs out of power is probably something many Norwegians can recognize themselves in.
– RANGE FEAR: Almost empty battery can lead to dangerous situations, warns the police. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB
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According to the Norwegian Electric Car Association, there are around 455,000 electric cars in Norway. If you own an electric car, there is a chance that you feel affected by the following anecdote:
The drive is well underway. You look down at the display and see that the car will soon run out of power, but you are far away from your destination.
If the nearest charging station is not just around the corner, fear may take over and range anxiety may become apparent. In the worst case, the consequence can be accidents and mishaps.
Turned onto E6
Superintendent of Police Inge Frydenlund says that range anxiety can lead to drivers losing their heads completely and eventually ending up in a dangerous situation.
Last autumn, Frydenlund stopped a driver who had made a somewhat unusual and highly dangerous choice of route. The driver had chosen to turn onto the E6, and then drove in the opposite direction to turn into a charging station.
– ON PATROL: Inge Frydenlund in the police patrols the roads in the capital – preferably by motorcycle. Not infrequently he sees cases of range anxiety and its consequences. Photo: Frode Sunde / TV 2
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When the police stopped him, they could see that the car had a range of three kilometers left.
– The reason for the driver was that he was afraid that the car would run out of power, says Frydenlund in the police traffic corps, which patrols the road network in Oslo.
The experience stands out as one of the most shocking range anxiety cases Frydenlund has seen at work.
– It is the only time I have come across a driver driving in the opposite direction due to range anxiety.
The end of the visa was that the driver lost his driver’s license for a period of nine months and he had to pay ten thousand kroner in fines
– ACCIDENTS: The fear of a flat battery can lead to accidents – something Inge Frydenlund in the police has experienced at work. Photo: Frode Sunde / TV 2
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Frydenlund says that the police constantly come across situations where the car has run out of power and is stranded along the road.
– We occasionally meet people who have run out of power and who have had to stop the car in unfavorable places.
Sometimes such stops also lead to accidents and incidents.
Crashed in a powerless electric car
There is one episode and subsequent verdict that has stuck particularly well with the police chief. That was when an electric car driver ran out of electricity on the E18 in 2019, says Frydenlund.
– She had stopped in the middle field in an uphill on a multi-lane road, where one does not expect a car boom to stand still.
The accident led to a domino effect. Due to the unexpected stop, there was a collision between other cars that had to slow down and maneuver away.
– NOTICE: It is important not to panic when the power alarm pops up. This evidence is not from the car in question, but from another similar flat battery situation. Photo: Police
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This lasted until a lorry stopped behind and flashed the emergency lights.
The electric car was so empty of electricity that it was not possible to put the electronic gearbox in neutral, according to Frydenlund.
– She had also passed several charging options on the road.
Electric car sales are booming – but many have to wait a long time:
Police advice against range anxiety
The trial, in which Frydenlund testified, ended with the woman having to pay a fine of 12,000. She also had her driver’s license revoked for a period of nine months and must submit a new driving test.
– Then it is better to stop too early than too late. It also shows other court decisions.
When the car goes into saving mode, it is time to stop, he believes.
– It is cheaper to order salvage than to risk an expensive fine and possible driver’s license confiscation.
– PANIC: Police Superintendent Inge Frydenlund says range anxiety can lead to panic taking over. He comes with his best advice. Photo: Frode Sunde / TV 2
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Frydenlund points out that range anxiety does not only have to be negative. He comes up with a few tips for electric car drivers.
– If, on the other hand, the range anxiety leads to you canceling the trip early, it is positive. It’s important to be a little far-sighted. Get an overview of where there are charging stations. It’s like everything else, you do not go on a long trip without a lot of diesel or petrol in the tank.
Common cause of car salvage
The fact that the car runs out of electricity or petrol is one of the most common reasons why drivers must order car towing, says communications manager Sigmund Clementz in the insurance company If.
They often see electric cars that need starting assistance.
– It often happens that people have to have salvage because the car does not start. Many times it is because the starter battery of the electric car has run out of power. It is even more common in winter.
– INSURED: Sigmund Clementz in the insurance company If assures that most insurances cover car salvage. Photo: If
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Running out of power is the new empty tank, says Clementz.
– We often see that people have driven the car empty. Another common reason is that drivers lock themselves out of the car, he says.
Clementz says one should not go further than to Sweden to see that empty electric cars are a much smaller problem.
The cases in Norway have increased as more Norwegians purchase an electric car.
Electric car suede surprises:
Increase in assignments
Last year, 251,653 roadside assistance and car salvage assignments were covered by the insurance, according to figures from the industry organization Finans Norge. This is an increase of 43,225 assignments from the previous year.
– RESCUE: The popular electric car Tesla is a common sight on Norwegian roads. It may not be as common to see it on the plane of a tow truck. Photo: Vegard Johnsen / Broom
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If you have some form of hull insurance, it should not be a problem to get the salvage covered, Clementz states.
– Whether it is a fossil-powered car or an electric car, the insurance will then include roadside assistance. There are many who may not think about it, but many insurance companies have this included in the insurance, with a deductible of a few hundred bucks.
– It’s indefensible
The Norwegian Electric Car Association does not often hear about equally dramatic range anxiety stories as mentioned above, but has heard of similar ones.
– IRRESPONSIBLE: – It is indefensible, dangerous and illegal, says Secretary General Christina Bu of the Norwegian Electric Car Association about the episode where a driver drove in the opposite direction. Photo: Mariam Butt / NTB
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– We have heard of a case where the motorist has been convicted of acting unjustifiably on the motorway because they have run out of power without turning off, says Secretary General of the Norwegian Electric Car Association Christina Bu.
All motorists, whether driving on electricity or fossil fuels, must behave in traffic in a responsible manner, she emphasizes.
– Part of this soundness is to have enough fuel or electricity. It is unsafe, dangerous and illegal to drive in the opposite direction on the motorway to get to the charging station. You must not do that.
Bu says it is a general advice to charge when you can, and before you absolutely must.
– Before you run out, you have to turn off and park properly, and call roadside assistance, says Bu.
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