Electric vehicle owners are happier with their cars than drivers of hybrid or internal combustion engine vehicles, according to JD Power’s 2026 APEAL study, which measures the emotional connection and enthusiasm owners feel toward their new vehicles.
The study found that electric vehicles outperformed internal combustion engine vehicles in nearly every category. EVs averaged a score of 910 out of 1,000, while ICE vehicles, including petrol, diesel and hybrid models, reached 850, according to JD Power.
The largest satisfaction gap appeared in the drivetrain category, where EVs beat ICE and hybrid vehicles by 109 points. EV owners also rated their vehicles higher in areas including setup and startup, ease of entry and exit, driving feel, ride comfort, infotainment, interior quality, and fuel or energy economy.
APEAL scores improved across all powertrain types, with EVs recording the biggest year-on-year gain at 22 points.
How the study was conducted
JD Power interviewed 78,514 owners of 2026 model-year vehicles about their first 90 days of ownership. Participants were asked about 37 attributes covering everything from how comfortable they feel in the driver’s seat to how excited they feel when pressing the accelerator.
A separate study by CDK found that 90 percent of EV owners plan to buy another electric vehicle, and 73 percent said their household would always have at least one EV.
