One of the most popular talking points among EV evangelists is that they require less maintenance and are cheaper to operate than gas-powered vehicles. The 2024 Initial Quality Study by JD power however, suggests this may not be the case, as EV owners report far more problems than their gas-owning counterparts.
The organisation rates vehicles based on the number of problems per 100 units (PP100). This year, the 38th year of the study, gas and diesel vehicles average 180 PP100, compared to 266 PP100 for EVs and PHEVs. J.D. Power even noted that Teslathe EV giant did not perform well in this year’s survey, as customers reported issues with funky turn signals and wiper controls.
Ram was generally the top brand in terms of initial quality, and Porsche was the largest luxury brand.
Electric vehicles often have more advanced tech features than gas models, which can complicate the early ownership experience. EVs were far more likely to cause in-vehicle technology issues than comparable gas vehicles, with 30 percent more problems reported for things like controls, infotainment and more.
Other issues caused problems for both gas and electric vehicle owners. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) can cause false warnings, irritate drivers and cause unnecessary stress. Backseat reminders, which provide a warning to check for pets, children and other items, added 1.7 PP100 to vehicle scores in the study, and some owners reported that they thought the reminders were for seat belts, and not on backseat passengers.
Additionally, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – two of the most popular features in new vehicles – were among the top 10 problems for new vehicle owners. Buyers said they had trouble connecting their phones or keeping them connected, a major issue considering more than half of Apple users and 42 percent of Samsung users said they used the technologies.
While the research shows that electric vehicles are not without their problems, it should not be taken to indicate that the electric powertrain is the cause of the somewhat negative reactions. Automakers are packing electric models with the latest technology and going overboard with design and ergonomics to make them feel more futuristic and appealing, which can complicate the ownership experience. The trend shows no signs of slowing down, but J.D. Powers Research has shown that it could be a good idea for car manufacturers to increase fuel prices. brakes a little.