Owner satisfaction with electric vehicles has reached its highest level on record, even as overall EV sales have declined in the past year, according to a new study from J.D. Power.

The firm’s 2026 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study reports that satisfaction among battery electric vehicle (BEV) owners has climbed to its highest point since the study began in 2021. Nearly all respondents—96%—said they would consider purchasing or leasing another EV for their next vehicle.

The findings come amid a downturn in EV market share following the expiration of the federal tax credit program in September 2025. Despite that shift, improvements in vehicle performance, battery technology, and charging infrastructure are driving stronger owner sentiment.

Public charging showed the most significant gains. Satisfaction increased substantially in both premium and mass-market segments, reflecting expanded charger availability and broader access to the Tesla Supercharger network. The change has helped improve the experience for non-Tesla drivers and contributed to a rebound in satisfaction among Tesla owners.

The study also found that premium EVs saw notable improvements in vehicle quality, with fewer reported issues related to interior noise, driver assistance systems, and external sounds. While both premium and mass-market vehicles improved, premium models showed the largest gains.

Battery electric vehicles continue to outperform plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in overall satisfaction, particularly in cost of ownership. Because BEVs do not require traditional internal combustion engine maintenance, they tend to have lower ongoing service needs compared to hybrids.

Among individual models, the Tesla Model 3 ranked highest overall in owner satisfaction, followed by the Tesla Model Y and the BMW i4. In the mass-market category, the Ford Mustang Mach-E took the top spot, with the Hyundai IONIQ 6 and Kia EV9 ranking second and third, respectively.

Overall satisfaction scores rose to 786 for premium BEVs and 727 for mass-market models, continuing an upward trend. While PHEV satisfaction also increased year over year, those vehicles still lag behind fully electric models.

The EVX Ownership Study, now in its sixth year, surveyed 5,741 owners of 2025 and 2026 model-year electric vehicles. Conducted in collaboration with PlugShare, the study evaluates key aspects of the first year of ownership, including charging access, driving experience, cost of ownership, and vehicle reliability.

The results suggest that while policy changes may be affecting short-term sales, consumer confidence in electric vehicles—and satisfaction among those who own them—continues to grow.

Sources:

  • https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2026-us-electric-vehicle-experience-evx-ownership-study
  • https://www.jdpower.com/business/electric-vehicle-experience-evx-ownership-study