Increasing the Efficient Usage of Electric Vehicle Range - Effects of Driving Experience and Coping Information

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have become increasingly more relevant in the field of sustainable transport. Important concepts for the widespread adoption of BEVs are a good user experience and an efficient usage of BEV range. Drivers range interaction competence can be assumed to have a positive effect on both concepts. In the present paper we examine the subjective facet of drivers range interaction competence in terms of subjective range competence and understanding of range dynamics. The objective of the present research was to improve the understanding of factors that are related to these two variables. The results showed that practical driving experience with BEVs seems to be an important factor and that coping information had a slight additional positive effect. Results could be used to develop strategies aimed at increasing drivers subjective range competence, understanding of range dynamics, and, hence make a positive contribution to drivers user experience. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.