33%

[StuGoss]

Why does 33% remaining charge feel like a lot less than a third of a tank of gas?

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[Time2Roll]

1/3rd in a Rivian might be 100 miles.
1/3rd in some gassers could be 200 miles.

So yes it might seem like less. The good part is plugging in at home and starting out at 80% to 100% each day as needed vs dreading the detour to fill up and running the tank as low as possible before it becomes urgent.

 

[antimatter]

Range anxiety? Not trying to mock, its just we've all grown used to '..eh, there's gas stations everywhere. If I need gas, I'll just pull over and get some'. It's different when you have an EV and you have to think about it.

 

[SANZC02]

Probably because most people have a mental thing that 20% is low so 33% is really 13%.

In general the normal use range is like 20%-80% or 60% of the battery. On a trip people might go down to 10% getting to a charger.

I’ve been driving an EV for 10 years and rarely do any of them get under 20% when not on a trip.

 

[Nixapatfan]

It's feels that way due to accuracy of range especially on LFP vehicles some vehicles just aren't that predictable and the huge variability weather conditions play.

I find that Rivian in general does a good job of predicting range on my gen1 and feel comfortable driving it down into single digits if necessary. The big caveat being the first 15 minutes of a drive being very inefficient so don't start your drive when already below 10%

 

[Riviot]

 

[lefkonj]

could be worse 33% on a Audi EV is like 70 miles.

 

[TexasBob]

Why does 33% remaining charge feel like a lot less than a third of a tank of gas?

Because you are almost never more than an 1/8th of tank away from a gas station and they are always available and functional when you arrive but you are often more than 1/3 a charge away from a charging station and they are frequently unavailable or non-functional when you get there.

 

[NY_Rob]

Because you are almost never more than an 1/8th of a tank mile away from a gas station...

Fixed!

 

[Proxy]

often more than 1/3 a charge away from a charging station and they are frequently unavailable or non-functional when you get there.

The above is ridiculous except in rare examples where you would also have to plan a fuel stop in a gas car according to my definition of often.

Also, if you have home charging:
At least 98% of Rivian owners, 98% of the time are within range of their home at 33%.

 

[ewhilberg]

Just pulled in home with 16% and didn’t think much of it. Probably should with the LFP that still hasn’t completed calibration. Knowing I have charging and realizing just how much charging is around helps a ton. But takes a little effort to get comfortable.

 

[TexasBob]

The above is ridiculous except in rare examples where you would also have to plan a fuel stop in a gas car according to my definition of often.

Also, if you have home charging:
At least 98% of Rivian owners, 98% of the time are within range of their home at 33%.

You should get out more. Most of the US is covered by roads where you will frequently find yourself more than 80 miles from the nearest charger. This is especially true if you are not on interstates. And a July 2024 study showed that mess than 33% of stations were broadcasting accurate telemetry about availability; according to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience Public Charging Study, 14% of EV owners arrived at a public charger and were entirely unable to charge; 2026 Zutobi EV Charging Station Report indicates that public networks had an overall functional reliability of roughly 75%.

Oh and we should add that the other reason it feels like less is because if you DO get caught without fuel, it is a multi hour multi hundred dollar tow rescue rather than a gas can on the side of the road. And one other reason - the distance you can travel on that 33% is highly uncertain depending on environmental factors outside your control.

The OP is right. It feels like less because a 1/3 tank of electrons provides you far, far less confidence you won't get stranded than a 1/3 tank of gasoline.

 

[Proxy]

There is exactly one location in the second largest state in the US (Texas) along major roads that is more than 61 driving miles from 150kW charger. I take many road trips including towing my race car to AZ and NV.

 

[Time2Roll]

Wells, NV to Ely, NV is about the longest I know between charging stations 140 miles.

 

[Joules Burn]

Wells, NV to Ely, NV is about the longest I know between charging stations 140 miles.

Ely now has a Tesla SC but where is the station in Wells? Elko, West Wendover, and Twin Falls were the reliable destinations that I have encountered. If there is a new one, I would love to note it.

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