Study finds that 96% of people who get an electric car never go back to anything else
Published on Feb 22, 2026 at 6:46 PM (UTC+4)
by Molly Davidson
Last updated on Feb 19, 2026 at 9:59 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Something interesting is happening with electric cars.
People aren’t just trying them – they’re sticking with them.
In fact, once drivers make the switch, almost none of them seem interested in going back to gas.
Now a major new study has put a number on just how strong that loyalty really is.
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Why 96 percent of EV owners say they won’t go back
According to the JD Power 2026 US Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study, 96 percent of EV owners say they would consider buying or leasing another EV for their next car.
Even more telling, that figure holds up even without the now-expired $7,500 federal tax credit.
In other words, this isn’t just about incentives.
People genuinely like living with these cars.
Brent Gruber, Executive Director of the EV practice at JD Power, said improvements in battery technology, charging infrastructure, and vehicle performance have pushed customer satisfaction to its highest level ever.
On a 1,000-point scale, premium EV satisfaction jumped 101 points year-on-year to 652.
Mass-market EVs climbed even more sharply, rising 115 points to 511.
Electric vehicles also outperformed plug-in hybrids by a wide margin.
Premium EVs scored 114 points higher than comparable PHEVs, while mass-market EVs beat them by 117 points.
A big part of that shift comes down to charging.
Public charging availability showed the largest improvement across the board, helped by brands adopting Tesla’s North American Charging Standard and gaining access to the Supercharger network.
Meanwhile, networks like ChargePoint, Electrify America, and EVgo continue expanding.
When it comes to specific models, the Tesla Model 3 ranked highest overall with a score of 804.
The Tesla Model Y followed closely behind, with the BMW i4 in third.
In the mass-market category, the Ford Mustang Mach-E took the top spot, ahead of the Hyundai IONIQ 6 and Kia EV9.
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What this says about the future of electric vehicles
This is the sixth year JD Power has run its EVX Ownership Study.
This time, it surveyed 5,741 EV owners of 2025 and 2026 model-year EVs and PHEVs.
The study looks at 10 ownership factors, including range accuracy, ease of home charging, driving enjoyment, service experience, and reliability.
What stands out is how quickly concerns like range anxiety are fading for everyday drivers.
Most people simply aren’t driving hundreds of miles a day, and better range accuracy means fewer unpleasant surprises.
Add in eight to 10-year battery warranties and lower ownership costs, and the fear factor that once hovered over EVs is steadily shrinking.
If 96 percent of owners are willing to stick with electric, this isn’t early-adopter hype anymore.
It’s a sign that for many drivers, once you go electric, there really is no going back.
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With roles at TEXT Journal, Bowen Street Press, Onya Magazine, and Swine Magazine on her CV, Molly joined Supercar Blondie in June 2025 as a Junior Content Writer. Having experience across copyediting, proofreading, reference checking, and production, she brings accuracy, clarity, and audience focus to her stories spanning automotive, tech, and lifestyle news.
