For most US drivers who switch to electric, there's no going back

DETROIT: The vast majority of US electric car owners - won over by their reliability, reduced maintenance costs and advances in recharging - plan to remain loyal to this type of vehicle for their next purchase, despite the uncertainty surrounding government subsidies.

In the United States, 94% of electric vehicle owners are so satisfied with their car that they are likely to consider buying another electric model the next time they buy, according to a study published by the firm J.D. Power.

Only 12% could one day envisage returning to a vehicle with an internal combustion engine.

If American motorists who have tried electric vehicles are so convinced, it is first and foremost because the perceived quality of these vehicles is constantly improving, and not only with regard to high-end models.

Motorists now consider electric cars to be particularly reliable.

In addition, more than two-thirds of first-time buyers admit that they were able to easily switch to a fully electric car thanks to training on the specifics of electric vehicle ownership at the time of purchase.

Charging infrastructure has made significant progress, with greater satisfaction in terms of the availability of public charging stations.

Finally, the reduced maintenance costs compared to combustion engine vehicles and the availability of tax incentives continue to play a decisive role in purchase decisions.

However, uncertainties about the future of government subsidies and tax credits following various statements by US President Donald Trump could slow down the adoption of electric vehicles.

It should be noted that, according to this study, the models considered the most satisfactory are the BMW iX in the premium category (790 points out of 1,000) and the Hyundai Ioniq 6 for the rest of the market (751 points).

The annual “Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study” by J.D. Power was conducted between August and December 2024 among 6,164 owners of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (2024 and 2025 models).

It assesses owner satisfaction on 10 criteria, ranging from battery life to the quality of after-sales service, including the charging experience and driving pleasure.