The quality and design of electric vehicles set some models apart from the others, but public charging concerns continue to impact all consumers in the United States. That is according to J.D. Power’s Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study, which was release Feb. 27.
The study found that traditional factors that are considered important to buyers of gas-powered vehicles are becoming critically important to those that are shifting to battery electric vehicles. These factors, specifically quality and cost of ownership, are affecting overall satisfaction. Public charger availability is the least satisfying part about owning a BEV, while the overall experience has become notably worse.
“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.”
He said concern over access to public charging is one of the top reasons a number of buyers are currently rejecting BEVs. “For EVs to reach their full potential, this issue needs to be resolved,” said Gruber.
Key highlights of the study point to public charging as not just bad, but getting worse. Also, first-time BEV owners are not as satisfied as BEV veteran owners. And although most owners say they will consider a BEV again, first-time BEV owners appear more fickle.
As for the study rankings, BMW i4 ranks overall and highest in the premium BEV segment with a score of 800, while Rivian R1T (789) slots second and Rivian R1S (778) is third. The MINI Cooper Electric ranks highest in the mass market BEV segment with a score of 770, while the Ford Mustang Mach-E (764) slots second and Hyundai IONIQ 6 (759) is third — all based on a 1,000-point scale.
