You might be familiar with the first-world problem of ‘phone-battery anxiety,’ where it feels like the planet will stop spinning if your battery level drops below 10%! How on earth did we cope 25 years ago?
I remember getting my first mobile phone in 2000, just before heading to university. Back then, the phone was off most of the time – only switched on when I needed to call home, which wasn’t often! Can you imagine that now? Turning your phone off between calls? Unthinkable!
It’s a bit of a sad reflection on our fragile modern mindsets that a dwindling battery on this pocket gadget can trigger stress, palpitations, and even raised blood pressure. But here we are! I’m as guilty as the next person, habitually glancing at my phone to check for emails, social media updates, or WhatsApp messages – as though something life-changing could’ve happened in the ten minutes since I last looked.
I should do better. Maybe I’ll pretend it’s 2000 again and only turn my phone on for essential
use… but I doubt that’ll catch on as a trend.
Recently, though, I experienced a different kind of battery anxiety – this time, thanks to my car.
And yes, stress and elevated blood pressure came along for the ride!
Introducing: range anxiety.
For local trips, my electric car is fantastic. It’s an MG5 estate, for any of you car enthusiasts out
there. It’s comfy to drive, has plenty of boot space for all the kids’ stuff, and overnight charging at home works like a charm. Sure, it’s not exactly a head-turner. Zero street cred on the school run – but hey, that’s not the priority these days!
A couple of weeks ago, though, we made the decision (or maybe the mistake) to take my car
instead of Serina’s for a family trip to Edinburgh. (Great city, by the way, if you haven’t been!)
A quick Google Maps search told me it was a 220-mile journey. The MG’s claimed 250-mile
range should’ve covered it easily. Charge up in Edinburgh while exploring the sights, ready for the drive home two days later – simple, right?
Not quite.
Problem #1: Cold Weather.
I didn’t account for the fact that the claimed 250-mile range isn’t based on UK weather in February – or five people in the car with a boot full of luggage! Halfway to Edinburgh, it became glaringly obvious we weren’t going to make it on a single charge. ☹ Penrith service station to the rescue!
Problem #2: Charging Apps.
As a public-charging novice, I discovered that it’s not as simple as plugging in, waiting, and
paying. You need specific apps for different chargers, depending on the location and charger type. Fine, no problem – I’ll just download the app. Except… at the Anglo-Scottish border, there’s barely any signal, let alone 5G! Take me back to 2000!
Thankfully, the café’s Wi-Fi came to the rescue. A coffee, some cake, and a 45-minute charge later, we were ready for the second leg of the trip. (And yes, we repeated this process on the way back!)
So, if you’re considering an electric road trip, learn from my mistakes: plan your charging stops, download the apps before you hit the road, and maybe don’t trust those optimistic range estimates in February!
But whatever you do, don’t let a little battery anxiety stop you from having an adventure – or from visiting Edinburgh. It’s worth every mile (and every charge).
