EV Owners 22% Happier Than Gas Car Drivers, Study Finds

Electric vehicle owners are grinning wider than everyone else on the road, and now there's data to prove it.

A new JD Power study measuring how happy people are with their new cars found that electric vehicle owners are significantly more satisfied than drivers of gas-powered cars. Battery electric vehicles saw the biggest jump in owner happiness this year, scoring 22 points higher than they did last year.

The study doesn't just count problems or defects. Instead, it measures something more personal: how much joy your car brings you every day. After 90 days of ownership, EV drivers reported feeling more excited and emotionally connected to their vehicles than any other group.

The happiness gap was clearest when it came to the driving experience itself. Electric vehicles outperformed gas cars by a whopping 109 points in powertrain satisfaction. That's the biggest advantage in the entire study.

JD Power surveyed over 78,000 owners of new 2025 model-year vehicles, asking them to rate 37 different aspects of their cars. The questions ranged from how comfortable the driver's seat feels to the thrill of stepping on the accelerator.

Electric vehicles won in nearly every category measured. This marks a significant shift as EVs become more mainstream and drivers discover the unique pleasures of electric driving: instant acceleration, quieter rides, and the convenience of charging at home.

The Ripple Effect

This growing satisfaction matters beyond individual happiness. When people love their cars this much, they become ambassadors for the technology. Word of mouth from satisfied EV owners helps overcome anxiety about range and charging that still holds some buyers back.

The study also shows that automakers are getting better at building EVs that people genuinely enjoy. Every type of vehicle improved in satisfaction this year, but electric cars led the pack by a wide margin.

As more drivers make the switch and discover what current EV owners already know, that satisfaction gap could help accelerate the transition to cleaner transportation. Happy drivers make the best advertisements.

Next time you see an electric car drive by, there's a good chance the person behind the wheel is smiling.