On the Dash:
- Public charging satisfaction is rising, as failure rates hit a record-low 12%.
- IONNA, Mercedes-Benz Charging Network and Rivian Adventure Network took the top three DC fast charger rankings, unseating Tesla from the top spot.
- Level 2 charger satisfaction fell 12 points, and dealership-located chargers scored lowest of any location type in the study.
Public EV charging is getting more reliable, even as EV sales growth slows. JD Power’s 2026 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Public Charging Study found satisfaction with DC fast chargers has climbed sharply over the past three quarters, while failed charging attempts dropped to the lowest rate the study has recorded.
JD Power has consistently found that public charging reliability is the top reason new-vehicle shoppers reject EVs, which makes this year’s gains relevant for dealers fielding EV objections on the lot.
Public charging satisfaction rises
DC fast charger satisfaction rose 12 points to 666 on a 1,000-point scale, with gains across all 10 factors JD Power tracks. Charger availability improved the most, up 27 points. Safety and cost of charging each rose 18 points. Slow charging speed remains the top complaint for both DC fast and Level 2 chargers, though the issue has eased for DC fast chargers in recent quarters.
Public Level 2 chargers moved in the opposite direction, falling 12 points to 595 from a year earlier, driven mainly by lower scores for ease of payment and ease of charging. However, three OEM-backed DC fast networks became award-eligible for the first time this year and outperformed the segment average by wide margins, in some cases by more than 100 index points, across ease of charging, charging speed and availability.
The top three rankings:
- IONNA: 807
- Mercedes-Benz Charging Network: 797
- Rivian Adventure Network: 755
That marks a shift from last year’s EVX study, when Tesla topped both the Level 2 and DC fast-charging rankings.
Public charging failure rates fall
The industry’s non-charge visit rate, when an owner arrives but can’t complete a charge, fell to 12% in the most recent quarter from 14% a year earlier. Newer OEM-backed networks posted the lowest failure rates, and legacy networks improved too.
Location also drives satisfaction. DC fast chargers at hotels scored highest at 692, followed by gas stations and convenience stores at 689 and restaurants at 688. Chargers at dealerships scored lowest among location types at 570, with stand-alone parking lots and garages close behind at 606.
The study is in its sixth year and measures satisfaction across Level 2 and DC fast chargers on 10 factors, including cost, safety and ease of payment. It’s conducted with PlugShare and includes 6,594 BEV and PHEV owners surveyed from January through June 2026.
