Effects of Low Battery Warning Sound Types and Driver Extraversion on Range Anxiety in Pure Electric Vehicles
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study investigates how driver extraversion and low-battery alert sounds (alarm vs. naturalistic) affect range anxiety. Eighty drivers were divided into high and low extraversion groups. During simulated driving, participants received alerts at 10% and 5% battery. Data were collected on eye movements, pupil responses, Primary Appraisal Secondary Appraisal (PASA) cognitive appraisals, energy-saving button reaction times, and System Usability Scale (SUS) ratings. Results showed a significant interaction between extraversion and sound type, forming an “extravert–alarm, introvert–naturalistic” matching pattern. Under matching conditions, drivers exhibited fewer visual fixations, smaller pupil changes, lower threat, higher self-efficacy and control expectancies, and higher usability scores. Under mismatched conditions, anxiety drove faster button presses with negative experiences. The effect intensified as battery levels decreased. Findings support adaptive sound systems tailored to driver extraversion. There is an interaction effect between driver extraversion and low-battery alert sound, resulting in an extraverted-alarm sound and introverted-naturalistic sound matching pattern.Under matching conditions, drivers exhibit more positive cognitive evaluations, more efficient information acquisition, and higher system usability.Under non-matching conditions, anxiety prompts faster energy-saving actions, but this is accompanied by heightened physiological arousal and more negative experiences.As battery level decreases, the interaction effect intensifies, making personalized warning design crucial for enhancing the driving experience. There is an interaction effect between driver extraversion and low-battery alert sound, resulting in an extraverted-alarm sound and introverted-naturalistic sound matching pattern. Under matching conditions, drivers exhibit more positive cognitive evaluations, more efficient information acquisition, and higher system usability. Under non-matching conditions, anxiety prompts faster energy-saving actions, but this is accompanied by heightened physiological arousal and more negative experiences. As battery level decreases, the interaction effect intensifies, making personalized warning design crucial for enhancing the driving experience.
Source: Figshare
Authors: Dongyu Yu, Wei Ying, Ruizhen Li, Jinyi Zhi, Chunhui Jing
Language: English
Subfield: Human Factors and Ergonomics
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7203796261