Electric Vehicle Owner Satisfaction Reaches Record High
Electric vehicles have advanced significantly in recent years, and this progress is finally reflected in the most important aspect — owner satisfaction. Recent data indicates that steady improvements in technology and infrastructure are leading to record-high approval ratings from drivers.
This conclusion was reached by the JD Power “U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience Ownership Study” for 2026. It showed that satisfaction among premium electric vehicle owners increased from 756 points last year to 789 in 2026. Mass-market models also improved by two points, reaching 727 out of 1000.
EV owner satisfaction has reached an all-time high. Best models come from Tesla, BMW, and Cadillac. Most EV owners would consider getting another one.
Leaders and Laggards of the Ranking
The highest ratings among premium electric vehicles were received by the Tesla Model 3 (804), Tesla Model Y (797), and BMW i4 (795). On the other hand, the new Audi Q6 e-tron found itself in the very last place with 690 points, significantly below the Lucid Air (740) and Rivian R1T (739).
In the mass-market car segment, first place was taken by the Ford Mustang Mach-E with a score of 760. It is followed by the Hyundai Ioniq 6 (748) and Kia EV9 (745). Interestingly, the two models with the lowest ratings were the Chevrolet Blazer EV (711) and Honda Prologue (623). This is a very large difference in points, considering that both models are produced by General Motors and have much in common.
How Was Satisfaction Measured?
The study analyzed ten different factors. These included the accuracy of the stated battery range, availability of public charging stations, actual range, cost of ownership, driving enjoyment, convenience of home charging, exterior and interior design, safety and technology features, service experience, as well as the vehicle’s quality and reliability.
It is inspiring that 96 percent of electric vehicle owners stated they would consider purchasing or leasing another electric car. The study also found an improvement in quality. This is especially true for premium electric vehicles, where the number of problems per 100 vehicles decreased by 15.9 compared to last year, with the overall indicator dropping to 75. JD Power links this to improved noise insulation and a reduction in problems with driver-assistance technologies.
Is the Charging Issue Still Relevant?
The study also showed that electric vehicle drivers are becoming more satisfied with public charging. Scores increased by more than 100 points, and this is linked to the expansion of charging infrastructure, as well as the opening of the Tesla Supercharger network to vehicles from other manufacturers.
And finally, electric vehicle drivers are more satisfied than plug-in hybrid owners. Premium electric vehicles scored 114 points higher than their PHEV competitors, while mass-market electric vehicles had an advantage of 117 points. This can be partially explained by the cost of ownership, as plug-in hybrid drivers have to deal with a more complex powertrain that includes both gasoline and electricity.
Brent Gruber from JD Power noted: “Improvements in battery technology, charging infrastructure, and overall vehicle performance have raised customer satisfaction to the highest level ever. Moreover, the vast majority of current electric vehicle owners say they will consider purchasing another electric vehicle for their next car, regardless of whether they took advantage of the now-expired federal tax credit.”
This data clearly demonstrates that the electric vehicle market is reaching a new stage of maturity, where early technological shortcomings and “growing pains” are gradually being eliminated. Record satisfaction levels and high owner loyalty, with owners willing to buy electric cars again, are a powerful signal for automakers. Particularly indicative is the leap in satisfaction with public charging, which is directly related to cooperation in infrastructure, such as the opening of the Tesla network. However, the huge gap in ratings between models based on the same platform is a reminder that for the end consumer, not only technical specifications but also build quality, reliability, and brand integrity remain critically important. The success of models like the Ford Mustang Mach-E also indicates that the emotional component and image continue to play a key role even in the electric vehicle segment.