Beyond adoption: Adaptation and usage patterns among electric vehicle drivers

• The usage patterns and driving behaviours change when switching from ICEV to BEV. • Challenges with range are still prevalent in the beginning of the ownership. • Experience and practice can help to get familiar with the BEV and reduce concerns. • Efforts to support BEV driving should focus on specific knowledge and strategies. Battery electric vehicle (BEV) technology continues to advance, offering longer driving ranges. As the market shifts from early adopters to mainstream consumers, who differ in their characteristics, understanding their adaptation process becomes crucial. With advanced BEVs and more diverse users, questions arise about how current BEV drivers use their vehicles, adapt to them, and whether past issues like range anxiety remain significant. To explore these questions, we conducted qualitative interviews with N = 24 BEV owners. Findings reveal diverse usage patterns, from multi-car households using BEVs for short commutes to single-car households relying on them for long trips. Despite improved technical capabilities, concerns about range and charging persist, even as actual range meets daily needs for most drivers. The adaptation process of the drivers involves developing new habits and behaviours, with gained experience reducing initial concerns. Understanding these individual adaptation processes becomes increasingly important to facilitate widespread BEV adoption.