You know when you’re watching a zombie movie and the main characters are struggling to survive in a desolate, crumbling city without resources, living in fear of being attacked by a horde of zombies? I always think to myself, “I don’t know, maybe they should just turn into zombies. They’d probably be happier at this point.” Well, I’m starting to think that about EVs.
Despite backlash from the Trump Administration and those of us obsessed with our stupid, old manual cars, the electric vehicle market has continued to expand due to China’s cheap, innovative offerings and Europe’s continued war on gas guzzlers. The constant friction caused the EV market to struggle a bit in 2025, with fewer Americans making the switch after the federal tax credit program was discontinued.
However, those who have already made the switch to electric vehicles have been reportedly very happy — and even want another one. As I said, maybe we should just turn to zombies. Once you give in, you are apparently very happily swept up into the EV cult, merrily skipping gas stations as you stare at the 32 screens around the cabin. Maybe it’s not worth fighting it.
Here is why EV owners are satisfied and don’t miss gas cars
Okay, so what has me in this existential crisis? Apparently, J.D. Power recently found that overall satisfaction amongst current EV owners is the highest it’s been since 2021, according to their 2026 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience Ownership Study. The study found that “nearly all owners” of new vehicles would purchase another EV for their next vehicle.
Said Brent Gruber, J.D. Power’s Executive Director, EV: “Improvements in battery technology, charging infrastructure and overall vehicle performance have driven customer satisfaction to its highest level ever. What’s more, the vast majority of current EV owners say they will consider purchasing another EV for their next vehicle, regardless of whether they benefited from the now-expired federal tax credit.”
Indeed, one of the reasons that 96% of EV owners are so satisfied is the improvement with public charging. More and more charging stations have been popping up across the country.
Another interesting development in the study surrounded EV versus hybrid ownership. All-electric vehicle owners reported higher overall satisfaction than hybrid owners. This was largely due to hybrid vehicles still requiring all the services that a normal internal combustion engine needs, making them need repairs more often.
The most satisfied EV owners include those that own the Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y (although I can think of much better alternatives), and BMW i4 when it comes to premium vehicles. The Ford Mustang Mach-E is the highest-ranked mass market EV (despite losing its frunk), followed by the Hyundai IONIQ 6 and Kia EV9.
J.D. Power’s six-year study focuses on the first year of EV ownership. The study takes many factors into consideration, including accuracy of promised battery range, availability of public charging stations, cost of ownership, styling, safety, reliability, and cost of ownership.
I honestly predict that EV owner satisfaction will only continue to increase in the next few years as technology improves. With longer ranges on the horizon, I think EVs will have another stat to constantly boast about from outside car shows. And I think if we all just gave in and switched, we’d have some kind of realization about electric vehicles that leaves us completely satisfied no matter what’s happening back in combustion land. That entire debate and struggle would be over. You could just be happy.
If a Tesla owner wants to bite me, maybe I’ll just let it happen. Maybe.
