Range of electric vehicles (EVs) has long been considered a major barrier in acceptance of electric mobility. We examined the nature of how range is experienced in an EV and whether variables from other adaptation contexts, notably stress, have explanatory power for inter‐individual differences in what we term comfortable range. Forty EVs were leased to a sample of users for a 6‐month field study. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of range experiences were performed, including regression analyses to examine the role of stress‐buffering personality traits and coping skills in comfortable range. Users appraised range as a resource to which they could successfully adapt and that satisfied most of their daily mobility needs. However, indicators were found that suggested suboptimal range utilisation. Stress‐buffering personality traits (control beliefs, ambiguity tolerance) and coping skills (subjective range competence, daily range practice) were found to play a substantial role in comfortable range. Hence, it may be possible to overcome perceived range barriers with the assistance of psychological interventions such as information, training, and interface design. Providing drivers with a reliable usable range may be more important than enhancing maximal range in an electric mobility system.

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Eco-driving is of high importance when driving battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in terms of prolonging the vehicle's limited range. A longitudinal field study with 40 participants was conducted to examine which eco-driving strategies users know before and after driving a BEV for 3 months. Furthermore, participant's knowledge regarding eco-driving strategies with BEVs against internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) was compared. After 3 months of BEV usage, a driving test was applied in order to investigate the strategies drivers apply to drive energy efficiently and to estimate the effectiveness of these strategies. Results reveal that reported eco-driving strategies for BEVs and ICEVs differ significantly. Users reported significantly more BEV eco-driving strategies after experiencing the BEV for 3 months than before. Furthermore, drivers were able to significantly reduce energy consumption by applying ecodriving strategies in the driving test. Reported eco-driving strategies proved to be effective. The results imply that ecodriving strategies for ICEVs have to be adapted for BEV eco-driving and that drivers gain a deeper understanding of factors that influence energy consumption by experiencing the BEV for a longer period of time. Based on the results, support of the driver through training or assistance systems is recommended.