High gas prices shrink gap between EVs and gas-powered cars in J.D. Power APEAL study

The recently released J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study revealed that battery electric vehicle owners are less satisfied with charge times and driving range than they were a year ago. Fuel economy and range satisfaction for gas-powered vehicle owners also declined partly due to high gas prices.

This drop in satisfaction also contributed to a one-point decline in overall new vehicle satisfaction, the first since 2014. 

David Amodeo, Director of Global Automotive at J.D. Power, stated, “The most important factor leading to the industry decline this year is owners’ perception of their vehicle’s fuel economy. The study was fielded as fuel prices were experiencing a meteoric rise, and that pinch at the pump is conveyed in lower vehicle satisfaction. Battery-electric vehicles have not been negatively affected by the increase in fuel costs but do have issues related to battery range and charging time.”

Two EVs that lead their respective segments are the recently released Kia EV6 compact SUV and Mercedes-Benz EQS. However, conventional gasoline-powered cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs tend to be segment leaders in terms of emotional appeal. The Jeep Wagoneer SUV, Jeep Grand Wagoneer SUV, Kia Carnival minivan, Genesis GV70 SUV, and Hyundai Santa Cruz midsize pickup are recent market entrants that dominate their segments.

Dodge has maintained its position as the highest-scoring mass market brand in APEAL for a third consecutive year. Porsche, a consistently top-performing premium brand in APEAL, comes in first place overall.