BMW iX, Hyundai IONIQ 6 Rank Highest on J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. EVX Ownership Study

After a dip in overall satisfaction among battery electric vehicle (BEV) owners in 2024, sentiment is shifting in 2025, according to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study, released on February 25, 2025. The new study reveals both premium and mass-market BEV owners are more satisfied with their vehicles this year, despite ongoing uncertainties surrounding the EV landscape.

While BEV satisfaction saw a decline last year, there’s good news on the market front. J.D. Power’s year-end retail sales data shows that BEVs reached a 9.1% market share in 2024, up from 8.4% in 2023. This growth is driven, in part, by the expansion of mass-market BEV models, which are increasingly appealing to a broader range of consumers. As more options hit the market, consumers are finding greater choices in the EV space, which could contribute to a more positive sentiment this year.

“The elimination of EV tax incentives and public charging funding has the potential to affect two critical barriers to EV adoption: public charging availability and vehicle prices,” said Brent Gruber, executive director of the EV practice at J.D. Power. “This temporary slowdown in market share growth for EVs creates a unique challenge for the industry as manufacturers forge ahead with new vehicle introductions. The EV market will be faced with expanded product offerings and flat share, creating increased competition.”

While the BEV market continues to expand, uncertainty remains due to potential changes in government policy. The current presidential administration has signaled intentions to reduce or eliminate EV tax incentives and funding for public charging infrastructure. Despite this, updates to the Inflation Reduction Act have led to a surge in federal tax credits, benefiting many buyers. In fact, more than half of BEV buyers cited tax credits as a primary reason for purchasing their vehicle, demonstrating the continued importance of these incentives in the EV decision-making process.

In the 2025 J.D. Power EVX Ownership Study, the top performers across segments were led by the BMW iX in the premium BEV category, earning 790 points, followed by the BMW i4 with 783 points and the Rivian R1S with 770 points. In the mass market BEV segment, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 ranked highest with 751 points, closely followed by the Kia EV6 at 743 points and the Chevrolet Equinox EV at 737 points. These models stood out for their exceptional performance in owner satisfaction across both the premium and mass-market categories.

Education Gaps Impacting the Ownership Experience

One notable finding from the 2025 study is the gap in customer education about EV ownership. While 69% of first-time BEV buyers reported receiving some form of education or training during the purchase process, the study reveals a significant shortfall in critical areas. The education received varied widely, with 46% of first-time buyers learning about how specific vehicle features work, while only 12% received information about the total cost of owning an EV. “First-time EV buyers are receiving minimal education or training,” said Gruber. “Dealers and manufacturers play a key role in educating buyers, but the learning curve for EVs is still steep, and more needs to be done.”

Mass Market BEVs Outperforming Premium Models in Quality

When it comes to vehicle quality, mass-market BEVs continue to outperform premium BEVs. Among the top 10 BEV models with the fewest reported issues, seven are in the mass-market segment. This trend demonstrates that quality is a key factor in overall ownership satisfaction. According to Gruber, “The link between vehicle quality and ownership satisfaction is clear. Mass-market BEVs are still outperforming their premium counterparts in this area.”

Premium Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) Offer an Alternative

As the BEV market continues to evolve, premium plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are gaining traction as a potential alternative for consumers hesitant to fully commit to an EV. New this year, the premium PHEV segment shows promise, with satisfaction scores higher than mass-market PHEVs and close to premium BEVs. With satisfaction at 741 for premium PHEV owners, the segment presents a viable option for customers seeking the benefits of electric driving without fully embracing BEV technology.

Public Charging: Continued Progress, Especially Among Mass-Market Owners

Public charging infrastructure continues to be a key challenge for BEV owners. However, the satisfaction gap between premium and mass-market BEV owners has narrowed significantly. Satisfaction among mass-market BEV owners rose by 86 points year-over-year, as infrastructure improvements helped alleviate some concerns. Premium BEV owners still report the highest satisfaction with public charger availability, with an average score of 551.

Strong Repurchase Intent Among BEV Owners

Despite these challenges, BEV owners remain highly committed to their vehicles, with 94% expressing interest in purchasing another BEV for their next vehicle. This strong repurchase intent is consistent with previous years, highlighting the loyalty that BEV owners have to the technology. Additionally, only 12% of BEV owners indicated they might switch back to an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle during their next purchase. “Once consumers enter the EV fold, they’re highly likely to remain committed to the technology,” said Gruber.

The 2025 J.D. Power EVX Ownership Study underscores the ongoing evolution of the electric vehicle market. While BEV owners are expressing more positive sentiment in 2025, there are still key challenges to address, including gaps in customer education, public charging availability, and the impact of government policies. However, with strong repurchase intent and a growing market share, the future of BEVs remains promising as long as manufacturers continue to improve the ownership experience and address the critical factors that impact satisfaction.

The study’s findings are based on responses from 6,164 owners of 2024 and 2025 model-year BEVs and PHEVs, with the survey fielded from August to December 2024. The study is conducted in collaboration with PlugShare, the leading EV driver app maker and research firm.

For more information about the U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study, visit https://www.jdpower.com/business/automotive/electric-vehicle-experience-evx-ownership-study.

EVinfo.net’s Take

We agree with Brent Gruber, executive director of the EV practice at J.D. Power, that the expected elimination of EV tax incentives and public charging funding this year will cause another sales growth slowdown for EV sales in America. Thankfully, the EV revolution is too widespread and strong for any government to stop it.

We expect that the current administration’s many mistakes, including removing EV tax incentives and public charging funding, along with tariffs and other horribly bad economic policy, will sweep the Democrats into power at the next elections. That’s no reason to be complacent however, we recommend supporting Democrats any way you can.

EVinfo.net recommends all of the EV models mentioned in this article. As of the date of this writing, the federal EV tax credit of up to $7,500 is still available. We recommend taking advantage of it soon, as it may not last much longer.