By Jim Meachen
Editor, MotorwayAmerica

After price, probably the biggest single factor in considering the purchase of an all-electric vehicle is range. Even with new battery technology, most of the new-breed of EVs just now entering the market can travel no more than 100 miles — at best — without the need for a power infusion.

To refill the batteries on 220/240 current it takes six-to-ten hours depending on the battery pack. Re-energize the batteries at home on a 110/120 current and expect a 20-hour wait before they are fully resupplied.

Trips must be limited to range, which must be carefully calculated ahead of time. If you drive away from your usual recharging location — probably your house — than you must ensure a source of power at the other end. If you find yourself out of your comfort zone, rapidly approaching your range limit as measured by the car's electrical "fuel tank," you may suddenly be overcome with a new malady called “range anxiety.” Wikipedia defines range anxiety as "the fear that a vehicle has insufficient range to reach its destination and would thus strand the vehicle's occupants."

We at MotorwayAmerica can count ourselves as among the first drivers/passengers to be afflicted with "range anxiety." This humble writer and Motorway's "Diatribe" pundit, Al Vinikour, were caught in a range anxiety event while testing the new Nissan Leaf — a very drivable and likable vehicle (see First Drive) — in the Nashville, Tenn., suburbs last week.

Nissan wanted auto writers to take the vehicles out for short "typical commuter" spins around the area after lunch. We climbed into vehicles — that claim a 100-mile range — that had already been driven around 50 miles in the morning.

After a couple of trips "around the block" we decided to head off on our own through some picturesque farm land dotted by large homes.

After some time, Al asked, "shouldn't we start back?" I answered, "We've got more than an hour before we need to catch our airport shuttle, plenty of time."

"No, that's not what I'm talking about. What's our range?"

"Well it says we have 24 miles left."

"How many miles have we gone in this direction," Al anxiously asked.

"I don't know, I haven't kept track," I anxiously answered back.

A brief moment of panic set in. Range anxiety if you will. In a gas car you don't keep track of such things. If the fuel light comes on, you simply pull into a neighborhood station, top off the tank, and continue on your way.

Not in an EV. You simply get stranded; embarrassed; miss your flight!

At the first driveway, I turned the Leaf back in the direction of Nissan headquarters. We made it with a few miles to spare, but not without some of that new-fangled "range anxiety."