Could Petrol Cars Become the Ones With Range Anxiety? How Long-Range Solid-State EVs Might Flip the Script

Electric vehicles are entering a new era where distances once thought impossible are becoming practical realities. While range anxiety used to be a common complaint about EVs, the next generation of batteries- especially solid-state tech- is poised to change that perception.

Manufacturers are now rolling out electric models capable of around 1,000 km or more on a single charge, a milestone that challenges the notion that only petrol vehicles can go long distances without stopping. Traditionally, the Australian market’s longest-range EVs, like certain Polestar and Tesla models, manage between roughly 600 km and 700 km per charge using conventional lithium-ion batteries, but new technologies are pushing well past those figures.

One example highlighted recently is the Chery Exeed Liefeng, which could achieve an exceptionally long driving range thanks to a solid-state battery design. Although final certification methods vary, the expected performance suggests the car would outdistance many combustion models on a single fill-up.

Meanwhile, other brands including Chinese entrants like Xiaomi with its long-range EVs, are extending the capabilities of orthodox lithium-ion packs through higher-voltage systems and better efficiency, narrowing the gap even before solid-state tech becomes widespread.

At the moment, petrol cars still enjoy rapid refuelling and an extremely dense refuelling infrastructure, with thousands of service stations across Australia and the ability to fill a tank in minutes. That advantage has helped internal-combustion vehicles retain their reputation for long-distance convenience.

However, as next-generation EVs with much higher ranges and ultra-fast charging times arrive, some analysts suggest that the traditional view of range anxiety could flip: drivers might begin to worry more about how far they can go on petrol rather than charge. In a future where EVs can cover 1,000 km on one charge and recharge at speeds approaching refuelling, petrol’s range could start to look comparatively limited.

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Original Article Source: CarsGuide