JD Power: US BEV satisfaction at record high in 2026

Battery electric vehicle (BEV) owner satisfaction in the United States has reached its highest level since JD Power launched its Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study in 2021, despite a decline in EV market share following the discontinuation of the federal tax credit programme in September 2025. The 2026 study found that 96% of new BEV owners said they would consider purchasing or leasing another BEV as their next vehicle.

Public charging satisfaction recorded the largest year-on-year improvement across both segments. Among premium BEV owners, satisfaction with charging availability reached 652 out of 1,000 points, up 101 points year on year, while mass market owners scored 511, up 115 points. JD Power attributes the improvement in part to the continued expansion of the Tesla Supercharger network to non-Tesla vehicles.

On vehicle quality, premium BEVs improved by 15.9 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) year on year to 75.0 PP100, driven by fewer interior squeaks and rattles and reduced driver assistance issues. Mass market BEVs recorded 92.2 PP100.

BEV owners continue to report higher overall satisfaction than plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) owners across both segments, with the gap most pronounced in cost of ownership — premium BEVs score 114 points higher than premium PHEVs in this category, and mass market BEVs 117 points higher.

The Tesla Model 3 ranked highest overall and in the premium segment with a score of 804. The Ford Mustang Mach-E led the mass market segment with 760. The study surveyed 5,741 owners of 2025 and 2026 model-year vehicles between August and December 2025.

Source: JD Power