On the Dash:
- Consumer awareness of AVs is rising, but trust remains low, limiting near-term demand for autonomous vehicle sales or services.
- Safety concerns, not technology awareness, remain the biggest barrier to adoption across all demographics.
- AV acceptance is highly use-case-driven, with stronger interest in low-risk or situational applications than in personal transport.
Consumer awareness of fully automated, self-driving vehicles is rising, but confidence is not keeping pace, according to the JD Power 2026 Mobility Confidence Index.
The index found that while more consumers correctly identify full automation, they remain hesitant in regards to saftey, performance, and real-world reliability.
Report findings
According to the index, JD Power found:
- In 2026, 58% of consumers recognized full automation, which is up from 43% in 2024
- Fewer than 25% are comfortable riding in fully self-driving vehicles
- 54% express comfort with food pickup services, compared to 31% for transporting children
- 60% cite personal safety as their top concern
- 58% worry about how emergencies will be handled
- 51% have concerns about performance in adverse weather and traffic conditions
Despite growing awareness, the overall Mobility Confidence Index held steady at 39 on a 100-point scale in 2026, essentially unchanged from 39 in 2024 and 37 in 2023. The index also found:
- 30% believe automated vehicles hold no value throughout their lives
- 24% to 28% across demographic groups consider retirement the best opportunity for adoption
- 25% see value for situational needs, like medical appointments or mobility limitations
- Comfort with goods transported by autonomous commercial vehicles scores highest at 46 points
- Only 16% feel comfortable sharing the road with fully automated semi-trucks
- 43% believe autonomous trucks are less safe than vehicles driven by humans
For dealers, the main challenge lies in bridging the gap between consumer awareness and trust. While people are aware of AVs, many still do not desire them. Therefore, the market for AV-related products and services remains limited until the industry addresses the trust deficit that has persisted for three consecutive years.
