Should EVs prioritize range? Strategies for efficient battery use, energy transition, and sustainability

The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is essential for global sustainability, yet range anxiety and inefficient battery utilisation remain critical barriers. This study proposes a novel battery optimization strategy that prioritizes energy efficiency and sustainability over increasing battery capacity. Instead of equipping EVs with oversized batteries, we introduce a dual-battery strategy: a smaller fixed battery for daily commutes and rentable auxiliary batteries for long-distance travel. Mathematical simulations reveal that an EV with a 35.4–36.4 kWh battery achieves an efficient 288 km range, extendable with rented batteries. This approach reduces energy consumption by 10.1–21.4 %, cutting annual CO$_2$ emissions by 100–200 kg per vehicle. If adopted by 80 % of EVs in 2023, this strategy could prevent up to 2.24×10$^9$ kg of CO$_2$ emissions and provide 579 GWh in battery storage, scaling to 3020 GWh by 2040. Beyond decarbonization, battery stations enhance grid stability, facilitate renewable energy integration, and reduce reliance on fast charging, offering significant economic and environmental benefits. By transforming EVs into dynamic components of a sustainable energy ecosystem, this strategy accelerates adoption and advances global net-zero objectives.