Toronto, Ontario — According to J.D. Power’s Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership study, the quality and design of electric vehicles (EVs) coupled with public charging concerns has created a growing gap in satisfaction rates between new versus veteran owners.
Notably, the study—which was originally released February 27—found that traditional factors that are considered important to buyers of gas-powered vehicles are also becoming important to those shifting to EVs.
Specifically, factors affecting overall satisfaction rates are quality and cost of ownership. The study further notes that public charger availability is the least satisfying part of owning a battery electric vehicle (BEV), with overall satisfaction rates ranking 32 points lower than a year ago.
“The increase in the EV share of the new vehicle market, reflected by seven new rank-eligible models this year, is a notable step in the transition toward vehicle electrification,” said Brent Gruber, executive director of the EV practice at J.D. Power in a statement.
“Many products are hitting the mark and resonating with shoppers but, at the same time, the decline in satisfaction with public charging availability should serve as a warning.”
Key highlights of the study indicate that first time BEV owners are not as satisfied as BEV veteran owners. Unlike last year’s study where the satisfaction gap between new and veteran owners was a difference of 14 points, this year’s study notes a growing dissatisfaction among new owners with a gap difference of 28 points between new and veteran owners. The overall satisfaction among new BEV owners has declined by 16 points from 2023, the survey shows.
Furthermore, study rankings show that the BMW i4 ranks overall and highest in the premium BEV segment with a score of 800 out of 1,000; the Rivian R1T comes second at 789 points and the Rivian R1S comes in third at 778 points.
Comparatively, the Mini Cooper Electric ranks highest in the mass market BEV segment with a score of 770, while the Ford Mustang Mach-E ranks in second place with 764 points and the Hyundai IONIQ 6 comes in third with 759 points.
The study further notes that owners of mass market brand BEVs also experience fewer problems with their vehicles than owners of premium BEVs, with 11 of the 14 ranked mass market models outperforming the premium brand market average in total problems.
To check out more study details, click here.
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