A new study published by data analysis and consumer intelligence firm JD Power has found that electric vehicle owners are the happiest drivers on the road. The 2026 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) study by JD Power found that EV drivers are happier about their vehicle purchases compared to drivers with gas-powered and hybrid cars.
The study gauged the level of excitement and emotional attachment new vehicle owners felt for their vehicles. Its findings put electric cars in quite a positive light. While all new car owners were happier with their purchase in 2026 compared to last year, electric vehicle drivers were the most emotionally satisfied with their car purchase. According to the study, EVs outperformed gas-powered cars in most categories, averaging a 910 score on a 1,000-point scale.
Combustion-powered cars, on the other hand, had an average 850 score, JD Power says. This category included hybrids, gas, and diesel cars. Electric cars had the highest satisfaction rates in the powertrain category, outscoring combustion cars by 109 points, which wasn’t surprising. Electric cars are famed for having punchy, more responsive electric motors despite being whisper-quiet compared to traditional engines.
Study participants also favored electric cars in categories such as fuel economy, infotainment, driving comfort, driving feel, setting up and starting, and interior. Electric cars represented the biggest jump in powertrain approval while the other powertrain types recorded more modest improvements. The study underlines one key characteristic of the EV industry: constant improvement and evolution.
Every year, automakers release more advanced electric cars equipped with more useful features than prior models. Naturally, this has resulted in new electric vehicle owners being inordinately satisfied with their purchases. But one category where electric cars have fared poorly in several surveys is charging. Compared to gas-powered cars, the average electric car takes an eternity to recharge, especially if the driver lacks access to superfast charging infrastructure.
However, the recent JD Power survey didn’t feature such misgivings regarding EV charging, indicating that most new drivers were fully aware of the EV charging situation before taking the plunge. Coming in with their eyes open regarding charging most likely helped them temper their expectations and avoid disappointment.
The study involved nearly 80,000 drivers with 2026 models, and it adds to previous findings on the same topic. EV drivers tend to be satisfied with going electric and rarely ever go back to combustion engine vehicles, with most of them making their next purchase an electric car.
As more entities, such as Massimo Group (NASDAQ: MAMO), bring even more advanced EV offerings to the motoring public, surveys like the one done by JD Power will continue showing how happy drivers are about making the switch to electrified transport.
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