Satisfaction among battery electric vehicle (BEV) owners has reached a record high amid slowing demand for electric vehicles, according to JD Power.
The details: According to the JD Power 2026 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study, BEV owners had the strongest praise for the vehicles over the past year on record since JD Power launched the study.
Satisfaction among premium BEV owners is 652 (on a 1,000-point scale) and 511 among mass market owners, up 101 and 115 points, respectively, year over year.
Quality improved across the board, with the premium segment improving 15.9 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) year over year to 75.0 PP100.
BEVs continue to outrank plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, with premium BEVs scoring 114 points higher than premium PHEVs when it comes to satisfaction with the cost of ownership.
Public charging satisfaction among premium BEV owners is 652 and 511 among mass market owners, up 101 and 115 points, respectively, year over year.
Nearly all BEV owners surveyed (96%) indicated they would consider leasing another BEV for their next car—underscoring the staying power of the all-electric market even amid slowing U.S. demand and the rollback of federal policies that favor the powertrains.
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Why it matters: Rising owner satisfaction—paired with overwhelming lease interest—signals a retention and repeat-buyer opportunity even as headline EV demand cools. Stores that can clearly explain charging, incentives, and total cost (and make the lease process frictionless) are better positioned to convert shoppers who are still EV-curious but payment-sensitive.
Between the lines: Tesla continues to dominate overall satisfaction, with Hyundai and Kia showing why they continue to gain traction in the EV sector as well.
Tesla Model 3 ranks highest overall and highest in the premium BEV segment with a score of 804, followed by the Tesla Model Y (797) and the BMW i4 (795).
Ford Mustang Mach-E ranks highest in the mass market BEV segment with a score of 760, followed by Hyundai IONIQ 6 (748) and the Kia EV9.
Bottom line: The EV play is increasingly a “keep them in the family” business. With satisfaction improving and leasing top-of-mind, dealers should prioritize EV lease offers, sharpen the delivery/charging education, and build a strong off-lease pipeline (including certified options) to capture repeat deals as more early adopters cycle into their next vehicle.
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