Can this new tech finally solve your EV range anxiety?

If you’ve ever driven an electric car and anxiously watched the battery percentage tick down, you know the fear of running out of charge isn’t always easy to shake. But engineers at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) may have just come up with a smarter way to keep that anxiety at bay.

They’ve developed a system called State of Mission (SOM), which goes beyond the simple “battery percentage” readouts we’re used to. Instead, it predicts whether your battery can actually handle the trip you’ve planned – taking into account real-world factors such as hills, temperature, traffic, and even your driving habits.

Remember, you can buy an electric car right here on Carwow. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

How it works

The SOM system is a mission-aware measure that combines data and physics to predict whether the battery can complete a planned task under real-world conditions, said UCR engineering professor Mihri Ozkan.

It uses a hybrid approach, mixing traditional physics with machine learning. Physics keeps the predictions grounded in reality, while machine learning helps it adapt to changing situations.

“By combining them, we get the best of both worlds: a model that learns from data but always stays realistic,” said Cengiz Ozkan, who co-led the research. “The predictions are not just accurate – they’re trustworthy.”

But how does it work? The system watches how batteries charge, discharge, and heat up over time, while still following the basic laws of chemistry and thermodynamics. That means it can make smarter predictions even if the temperature drops suddenly or you’re climbing a steep hill.

The team tested SOM using real-world battery data from NASA and Oxford University. It looked at charge cycles, temperature swings, voltage, current, and long-term performance trends. Compared to old-school battery indicators, SOM cut prediction errors significantly: 0.018 volts for voltage, 1.37°C for temperature, and 2.42% for charge state, according to the research.

So, instead of just telling you “50% charged,” SOM can say things such as: “Yes, you can finish this trip,” or “Better recharge halfway.” Ozkan sums it up: “It turns abstract battery data into actionable decisions, making vehicles, drones, and energy systems safer and more reliable.”

What does this mean for you?

This new tech could be a gamechanger for electric car drivers. Imagine knowing for sure that your car can make a 50-mile uphill drive instead of nervously guessing based on a percentage. Trips get less stressful, and range anxiety could finally become a thing of the past.

The catch? SOM is more complex than current battery systems and needs more processing power. But the researchers are working on making it work for EVs, as well as drones, home solar setups, and even future battery types such as sodium-ion or solid-state.

Still, the potential is huge: if paired with something such as a smartphone that can run AI models, SOM could become a must-have tool for EV owners – which means you won’t have to guess how far you can go anymore.

You can read more about this new research in the journal iScience.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

Click here to follow us on WhatsApp, where you can keep up-to-date with all the latest news, reviews, advice guides and videos.