Electric Vehicle Owners Express Displeasure over Elevated Electric Charging Costs for Their Cars
In a recent study, the U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Home Charging Study, conducted in collaboration with PlugShare, has revealed key factors influencing the satisfaction of electric vehicle (EV) owners using home charging solutions. The study, now in its fifth year, serves as an industry benchmark, evaluating the home charging experience for EV owners across all three charging segments.
According to Brent Gruber, executive director of the EV practice at J.D. Power, access to Level 2 charging at home is a key driver of overall EV satisfaction. The study found that Tesla ranked highest among Level 2 permanently mounted charging stations, with a score of 776. Emporia followed closely at 763, while Wallbox secured third place with 756. However, Level 2 portable chargers dropped to a score of 714, and Level 2 permanently mounted chargers scored 733, while satisfaction with Level 1 portable chargers remained unchanged at 581.
The study measures satisfaction across eight critical factors: fairness of retail price, cord length, charger size, ease of winding/storing the cable, cost of charging, charging speed, ease of use, and reliability. Connectivity issues, particularly internet/Wi-Fi connectivity problems and charger app malfunctions, are a significant problem for Level 2 permanently mounted chargers.
Charging speed remains a critical factor in the customer experience for electric vehicle (EV) home charging. Ensuring that charging speeds meet user expectations should be a priority for home charging providers, according to Gruber. Level 2 providers offer a competitive edge with features like internet connectivity and apps, but ensuring consistent performance across diverse home environments is a challenge that suppliers must address.
The average amount spent on home charging in the past 30 days increased to $58, and satisfaction with the cost of charging dropped 8 points to 698. Rising electricity costs are causing concerns among consumers, and satisfaction levels vary significantly by region, with owners on the West Coast and in the Northeast reporting lower satisfaction scores.
The main concerns and factors affecting satisfaction among EV owners using home charging solutions include cost, convenience, charging speed, vehicle technical constraints, and psychological factors such as range anxiety. These factors vary notably by region due to differences in charging infrastructure availability, regional EV adoption rates, and user preferences.
Regional variations in EV home charging satisfaction were also observed. For instance, London's EV owners show positive perceptions of EV and charging convenience, likely due to better infrastructure and support. Conversely, regions like Northern Ireland express concerns about insufficient charging infrastructure and environmental impacts of battery sourcing, affecting satisfaction negatively.
In summary, EV owners’ satisfaction with home charging is shaped by the interplay of cost, convenience, charging speed, vehicle characteristics, and psychological comfort, with strong regional differences driven by infrastructure development and local perceptions. Regions with well-developed home charging infrastructure and positive EV attitudes tend to have higher satisfaction levels among EV owners.
Usage rates for Level 2 chargers are highest among owners of 2022 model-year vehicles, but data shows a steady increase in Level 1 charger usage among owners of 2023 and newer models. The industry should reinforce the benefits of Level 2 charging and address barriers that may be slowing adoption, according to Gruber.
- The study reveals that access to Level 2 charging at home significantly impacts the satisfaction of electric vehicle (EV) owners, with Tesla ranking highest among Level 2 permanently mounted charging stations.
- Charging speed is a critical factor in the customer experience for electric vehicle (EV) home charging, and ensuring that charging speeds meet user expectations is a priority for home charging providers.
- The average amount spent on home charging in the past 30 days increased to $58, and satisfaction with the cost of charging dropped 8 points. Rising electricity costs are causing concerns among consumers, and satisfaction levels vary significantly by region.
- Regional variations in EV home charging satisfaction are observed, with London's EV owners showing positive perceptions due to better infrastructure and support, while regions like Northern Ireland express concerns about insufficient charging infrastructure and environmental impacts.
