U.S. EV owners are more satisfied with their vehicles than ever and overwhelmingly plan to stay electric, according to the 2026 EV Ownership Study from CDK Global, findings that reinforce the long-term opportunity for dealerships despite a slower pace of EV adoption.
The study found 90 per cent of owners intend to purchase another EV, up from 82 per cent a year earlier, while only one per cent said they expect to return exclusively to gasoline-powered vehicles. Overall satisfaction also climbed, with 94 per cent saying they are happy with their purchase.
For dealers, the report also points to improving aftersales performance. Nearly two-thirds of owners said their EV service was completed the same day they brought it in, more than doubling last year’s result. Owners also reported spending about 39 per cent less on servicing an EV than a comparable gasoline vehicle.
The sales process continues to evolve as well. While online purchasing increased, 58 per cent of respondents still completed their purchase entirely at a dealership, and 82 per cent took a test drive before buying.
Charging remains the biggest pain point. Two-thirds of owners experienced issues on longer road trips, with waiting for occupied chargers replacing range anxiety as the most common complaint. Nearly nine in 10 owners said planning an EV trip requires more preparation than travelling in a gasoline-powered vehicle.
Despite those frustrations, owner loyalty continued to strengthen. Nearly three-quarters said their household will always own at least one EV, while more than nine in 10 said they have recommended buying an EV to family or friends.
