A Tesla Roadster and 'Starman' affixed to the SpaceX Falcon Heavy’s upper stage, as seen from the port camera, in its Earth parking orbit in 2018. Image courtesy SpaceX.

New research shows that Fresno is among the top cities in the U.S. where drivers are getting braver and voyaging further in their electric vehicles.

Wejo, a British electric vehicle (EV) analytics and data company, released a study showing that the average distance driven per journey in EVs may be equal to those of traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles within the next 18 months.

Wejo’s study reveals that nearly 100 cities experienced an increase in the average distance travelled per journey for EVs last year compared to 2021, with Toledo, Ohio, topping the list, Bakersfield ranking second and Fresno following third with a 12% increase.

Concurrently, 89 cities also experienced a decrease in the average distance travelled per journey in ICE vehicles in the past year, with Fresno, Stockton, Bakersfield, Reno, Nevada, and Anchorage, Alaska, experiencing the most significant decreases from 3-5 percent.

The study finds across the country, EV drivers have extended the distance of their journeys by 5.5% on average between 2021 and 2022. Meanwhile, drivers of ICE vehicles have been going shorter distances than years prior — by 1.6% when compared to 2021.

With the growth of charging station systems across the nation, EV drivers are more willing to embark on longer journeys in the near future, according to Wejo analysis.

“The data shows that range anxiety may finally be diminishing for EV owners, as they become more comfortable using their EVs for longer and longer trips, and more funds are going toward EV infrastructure support like charging stations throughout the nation,” said Sarah Larner, executive vice president of strategy & innovation at Wejo. “It might also signal continued increases in adoption of EVs in the coming year, particularly as more makes and models are made available by manufacturers.”