The term range anxiety first appeared in the late nineties, but has not been significantly used until relatively recently, gaining currency in the context of increased concern about sustainable energy and the wider availability of electric and hybrid vehicles (hybrid is the term now widely used to describe vehicles which incorporate both a conventional engine and one or more electric motors).

The term range anxiety first appeared in the late nineties, but has not been significantly used until relatively recently, gaining currency in the context of increased concern about sustainable energy and the wider availability of electric and hybrid vehicles (hybrid is the term now widely used to describe vehicles which incorporate both a conventional engine and one or more electric motors).