It’s no secret that government incentives have played a huge role in fueling America’s appetite for electric vehicles. Without them, enthusiasm tends to cool fast.

So it’s hardly shocking that many former EV owners say they’d consider returning to battery power only if a generous incentive were back on the table, according to a recent study from The Harris Poll.

Read: Expiring EV Tax Credit Sent Tesla Sales Into Overdrive But Its Flagships Crashed

The survey, conducted between September 23 and 25, included responses from 2,095 adults across the United States. Of these, 1,675 participants, or about 80 percent, said they plan to buy or lease a new or used vehicle in the future. Within that group, 485 respondents, roughly 29 percent, said they were extremely or somewhat likely to choose an EV.

What Would It Take?

Among respondents who had previously owned or driven an electric vehicle but later switched away, 60 percent said they would need an incentive of at least $5,000 to consider returning to an EV.

A further 30 percent said they would need an incentive of between $2,500 and $4,999 to reconsider, while 11 percent said they would be willing to accept an incentive of less than $2,500.

Senior consultant at The Harris Poll, Greg Paratore, acknowledged that affordability remains the top concern for 64 percent of EV buyers.

Automakers Step In

While the removal of the new and used EV tax credit will impact demand for electric cars, Paratore noted that automakers could use the removal of the credit to build extra trust with consumers by helping to share the added cost burden.

For example, Hyundai recently announced it’s cutting prices of the 2026 Ioniq 5 by a significant $9,800 in the wake of the tax credit’s removal. Additionally, Hyundai is offering a $7,500 cash incentive on the remaining 2025 Ioniq 5s that it has in its inventory.

Meanwhile, Ford chief executive Jim Farley warned that EV demand in the U.S. could tumble by as much as half due to the tax credit’s removal. If that happens, electric vehicles could see their market share shrink to around 5 percent, a figure last recorded in 2022.

The economy continues to show signs of turbulence as inflation is up and the unemployment rate climbed to 4.3% last month. These factors helped to push the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates.

While the Fed noted “uncertainty about the economic outlook remains elevated,” that hasn’t scared off car buyers. Quite the opposite as Edmunds expects this will be the strongest third quarter for new vehicle sales since 2019.

More: Americans Crushed By Auto Loans As Defaults And Repossessions Surge

If their projections pan out, Americans will have snapped up 4,075,132 new vehicles between July and September. That would be a 4.7% increase from last year, but a 3.3% drop from the second quarter.

An EV Slowdown Ahead?

That sounds like a mixed bag, so what’s driving the sales? Edmunds pointed to a number of factors including the elimination of the clean vehicle tax credit. It expires tomorrow, meaning shoppers have rushed out to buy EVs before the $7,500 incentive disappears.

That isn’t the only tailwind as the rate cut appears to have helped and Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds’ head of insights, noted “We’re seeing more consumers return to the market with aging trade-ins, which is a strong signal that there’s still real pent-up demand.”

However, the party is going to come to an abrupt end once the clean vehicle tax credit expires. Edmunds’ director of insights, Ivan Drury, suggests there will be an “EV hangover in the months ahead.” That’s an understatement as the elimination of the incentive will likely push some consumers to cheaper gas and hybrid vehicles.

Automakers have already alluded to this and GM’s Duncan Aldred recently said, “There’s no doubt we’ll see lower EV sales next quarter … and it may take several months for the market to normalize.” He added, we will “almost certainly see a smaller EV market” and the company will respond by cutting production.

Who Gains, Who Slips

We’ll learn the real numbers soon enough, but Edmunds is expecting Toyota to benefit from a 17% increase in third quarter sales compared to a year ago. Hyundai and Kia are expected to climb 12.7%, while Ford could be up 8.0%.

Not everyone is expected to climb, though. Stellantis may see a marginal dip of 0.3%, making it the only major automaker in Edmunds’ forecast with a year-over-year decline.

SALES VOLUME FORECAST

Edmunds

Not too long ago, legacy automakers were struggling to keep pace with Tesla, as more buyers left their gas-powered cars behind for the Californian brand’s electric line-up. Now the tide appears to be shifting. Fresh data shows Tesla’s brand loyalty has dropped noticeably, with a growing number of owners not only moving to rival marques but, in some cases, even leaving EVs behind altogether for diesel-powered trucks from the likes of Chevrolet and Ford.

Read: Cadillac’s Secret EV Weapon Is Converting Tesla Owners At A Surprising Rate

The new study from S&P Global shows that in the second quarter of 2025, Tesla’s brand loyalty in the US dropped 9.4 percent from the year before, landing at 58.1 percent. That figure put the company behind Ford at 59.6 percent, though it stayed just ahead of Chevrolet at 58 percent, Toyota at 57.3 percent, Honda at 54.9 percent, and Mercedes-Benz at 54.2 percent.

Aging Line-Up and Image Issues

According to S&P Global, loyalty rates at Tesla started to fall earlier this year, due in part to its aging line-up and reliance on just two high-volume vehicles, the Model 3 and Model Y. Both have received updates, but their foundations trace back several years. With no fresh addition, buyers are increasingly tempted by rival brands offering broader choices. Additionally, the political leanings of head honcho Elon Musk continue to turn off many owners.

Analysts stress that Tesla’s drop is not simply a rejection of electric cars, but rather a reflection of buyers migrating to brands offering more diverse lineups and equipment choices. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Toyota are among the biggest winners when Tesla’s sedan and SUV buyers defect, highlighting the brand’s limited variety.

Switching to Other Fuels, Including Diesels

From those walking away from Tesla, 68.9 percent chose another EV as their next vehicle in the first half of this year, down from a peak in the mid-70s during 2023. The remaining 31.1 percent switched fuel types, with 28.2 percent moving to hybrids and an unexpected 2.9 percent opting for diesel, an unusual move for former EV drivers.

Other interesting findings from the study show that when ex-Tesla owners moved to Chevrolet, 55 percent went back to gas, 37 percent chose another EV, and nearly 8 percent somehow landed in diesels, according to Autonews. The report doesn’t explain that last group, though it’s hard not to imagine many, if not all, being unhappy Cybertruck owners defecting to diesel-powered Chevy Silverados.

Tesla’s advantage over Ford has also shrunk, with its conquest ratio sliding to 1.9-1 from 2.4-1 a year earlier. Among defectors to Ford, half bought gasoline models, 29 percent stayed electric, 13 percent opted for hybrids, and 5 percent decided diesel was the answer. BMW doesn’t look much better for Tesla either: 47 percent of switchers there picked gas, 42 percent went electric, and 11 percent settled on hybrids.

EV Repeat Buyers Losing Momentum

Overall, loyalty to battery-electric vehicles has slipped to 58.7 percent in 2025, down from nearly 68 percent two years ago, pointing to a wider slowdown in repeat EV purchases. Traditional internal combustion models still hold the highest loyalty at around 84 percent, though that figure is gradually declining. Hybrids are gaining ground but continue to trail both ICE and BEVs.

In contrast, loyalty is strengthening among buyers of other electric marques. Fuel-type loyalty for non-Tesla EVs has climbed to 46.4 percent, up from roughly 45 percent in 2020, suggesting adopters outside the Tesla ecosystem are more committed to staying electric. Overall EV brand loyalty has also improved, rising to 43.5 percent compared with around 40 percent in 2021, buoyed by a wave of more competitive models.

Tesla Still Winning Over Many Buyers

Even with defections mounting, Tesla continues to attract a healthy share of conquests. In the second quarter, it won over about twice as many Chevrolet drivers as Chevrolet did Tesla drivers. That ratio, however, is down sharply from 4-1 it had been just a year ago.

The difference is even more stark when looking at BMW. Tesla’s conquest-to-defection ratio ratio against the German brand was around 9-1. Today, with BMW fielding a much broader range of electric models, that figure has fallen to just 1.5-1.

In contrast, loyalty is strengthening among buyers of other electric marques. Fuel-type loyalty for non-Tesla EVs has climbed to 46.4 percent, up from roughly 45 percent in 2020, suggesting adopters outside the Tesla ecosystem are more committed to staying electric. Overall EV brand loyalty has also improved, rising to 43.5 percent compared with around 40 percent in 2021, helped by a wave of more competitive and appealing models.

Preferences Over Price

One crucial detail stands out: price is not the driving factor. Data shows that most households moving away from Tesla are buying vehicles in the $60,000 to $75,000 range, indicating the trend has more to do with preference and product variety than with saving money.

“Tesla brand loyalty is still strong, but it’s no longer the default,” said S&P Global. “In a more competitive, more body style-rich EV market, even category leaders are being held to a higher standard.”

John Halas contributed to this story.

Between inflation, tariffs, and an assortment of other factors, cars have gotten significantly more expensive. However, buyers are finding some unlikely relief as AAA says the total cost of owning and operating a new vehicle has fallen by $719 compared to 2024.

That’s a pretty significant decline and it brings the total price tag to $11,577, which equates to roughly $965 per month. While that’s still pretty steep, it represents a drop of nearly 6%.

Falling Costs, Changing Trends

AAA attributes the drop to a combination of factors. Lower fuel prices, reduced depreciation, softer finance charges, and an ongoing shift toward more affordable models all contributed to the dip.

More: Gas Prices Are Falling And Could Dip Below $3 Per Gallon

According to the association, the study examined the “five top-selling models in each of nine vehicle categories to calculate ownership costs across a number of areas.” It found the average new vehicle loses $4,334 per year in value, over the first five years, which was less than the $4,680 loss in 2024.

Costs by Vehicle Category

AAA

Electric vehicles did not benefit in the same way as gasoline models. Charging costs rose by nearly a cent per kWh, and higher depreciation, insurance, fees, and financing pushed their overall cost higher. By comparison, gas-powered models enjoyed a dip in running costs, with fuel averaging 13 cents per mile.

Small Cars Lead the Pack

Among all categories, the study found small sedans were the least expensive as they only cost 55.87 cents per mile to operate. Hybrids were second at 63.94 cents per mile as they have low fuel costs as well as reduced maintenance and depreciation.

Third place was a neck-and-neck battle between medium sedans and subcompact crossovers. The latter barely won out as they cost 66.11 cents per mile versus 66.37 cents for mid-size sedans.

Big Trucks, Big Bills

At the other end of the scale, surprising absolutely no one, full-size trucks were the most expensive to operate at 98.54 cents per mile. Electrics weren’t too far behind at 71.21 cents per mile thanks to their massive depreciation.

More: These Cars Are Losing Value So Fast It’s Almost Impressive

Thanks to the research, drivers can compare an assortment of different vehicle types with relative ease. If you drive 10,000 miles per year, a mid-size truck would cost you $7,911 annually. Stepping up to a full-size model would increase that to $9,854, which is an extra $1,943 per year. That’s a pretty big difference if you don’t really need half-ton capability.

We might be living in the age of electrification, with all its highs and lows, but EV and plug-in hybrid drivers still need a shove when it comes to charging discipline. Pure battery-electrics have no choice but to plug in, yet plenty of PHEV owners treat their rides like ordinary gas cars and ignore the socket altogether, according to Toyota’s research arm. It’s baffling really; why pay extra for a PHEV only to use it as a glorified hybrid?

To address this curious habit and encourage better routines, the company has developed an app that applies behavioral science and game-like rewards, turning charging into less of a chore and more of a challenge. The Toyota Research Institute (TRI) says it works, and early findings back that up.

Shaping Better Charging Habits

Toyota explains that technology alone cannot deliver lower emissions. For BEVs and PHEVs to achieve their full environmental potential, owners must charge them consistently and, crucially, at the right times when clean energy sources are available.

More: This Toyota Prius Can Cut Emissions By Up To 90% Thanks To A Clever Trick

The smartphone application that can help reach this goal is called ChargeMinder and was developed by TRI’s Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence division. Being a prototype means it is not yet available for download from an app store, but is already delivering results in research trials.

Similar to a fitness app, ChargeMinder uses push notifications, streak tracking, and motivational messages to encourage owners to plug in at the right time. It also includes short quizzes to keep users engaged, while access to vehicle telematics and charging location data allows for more personalized suggestions.

Studies Suggest It Works

As noted by Dr. Laura Libby who works at the Toyota Research Institute, “small, targeted interventions can have a large impact on people’s decisions and actions”, adding that “behavioral interventions are inexpensive and can be deployed quickly”.

More: Diesel Is Dying And Toyota Already Picked Its Replacement

Toyota’s research arm performed “randomized controlled trials” in the US and Japan with EV drivers from 12 different brands. Findings showed that “behavioral science-based interventions significantly improved charging habits”, leading to lower carbon emissions. In short, an app that provides timely reminders and rewards good behavior can benefit both drivers’ wallets and the wider environment.

Numbers Tell The Story

The company reports that behavioral interventions increased PHEV charging by 10 percent among US drivers. At the same time, satisfaction scores climbed by 16 percent, reaching a perfect 100. In Japan, PHEV and BEV drivers shifted their charging to coincide with peak renewable energy hours by 59 percent, while also plugging in for an extra 30 minutes per day during daylight.

The next step for TRI is to expand ChargeMinder with more personalized, data-driven interventions. While Toyota hasn’t announced a public release timeline, it’s hard to imagine it won’t eventually roll it out to the world.

China is pulling further ahead of the United States and Europe in the race toward electrification, with a new study shedding light on how quickly vehicle fleets are expected to transition to EVs. While the U.S. and Europe are moving in the same direction, their pace is notably slower.

In a report published this week, EY, one of the world’s largest professional services and consulting firms, forecasts light vehicle sales through 2050 across the three major regions.

Europe On The Rise

One key takeaway is that in Europe, EV sales will surpass those of gasoline and diesel vehicles by 2028. The shift will accelerate from there, with electric vehicles projected to exceed half of all new light vehicle sales in Europe by 2032.

Read: Tesla’s EV Market Share Just Sank Below 40% But It Might Not Even Care Anymore

Interestingly, the study noted that until 2030, hybrids, including PHEVs, will continue to outsell BEVs in Europe until 2030. However, as CO2 regulations become stricter and more affordable pure electric cars hit the market, they’ll soon start to outsell hybrids too.

“The near- to mid-term future will feature a diverse mix of powertrains, shaped by regulatory shifts, tariffs, and evolving consumer behaviour,” explained Constantin M. Gall, EY Global Aerospace, Defense & Mobility Leader. “What’s clear is that e-mobility will remain central to the future of transportation.”

What About The US?

Compared to Europe, the switch to EVs in the United States will be much slower. EY forecasts a brief surge in sales this month ahead of the expiration of federal EV tax credits, but the long-term outlook has weakened. In an earlier projection, BEVs were expected to reach 50 percent of U.S. light vehicle sales by 2034. That milestone has now been delayed to 2039, with factors such as policy uncertainty, import tariffs, and the loss of incentives slowing adoption.

More: Europe’s EV Buyers Are Dumping Tesla And China Couldn’t Be Happier

Hybrids are expected to fill the gap. Their share of the U.S. market could climb to a peak of 34 percent by 2034 before giving way to wider EV adoption.

China Leads The Pack

In China, the shift is happening much faster. This year, combined sales of battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids in the country are tipped to reach 50 percent and will surge past 90 percent by 2034. Interestingly, BEV sales alone are only expected to account for 50 percent of light vehicle sales by 2033, a year behind Europe, showing just how important PHEVs will remain in the country through the next decade.

“The EV transition is advancing—but unevenly,” Constantin M. Gall from EY said. “The US faces policy uncertainty, high costs, and infrastructure gaps. Europe is on a steady recovery path under strict emissions targets. China benefits from stable policy and a robust EV ecosystem. Hybrid technologies are proving essential in bridging the gap to full electrification.”

For automakers, the uneven timelines mean strategy can’t be one-size-fits-all. Success will depend on building flexible platforms that can serve fast-moving markets like China and Europe while keeping slower adopters in North America engaged.

Chinese cars are making huge gains in Asia, Europe and South America, but brutal 100 percent tariffs have so far kept them locked out of North America. There’s a chance, though, that this won’t last much longer as Canadian lawmakers are considering scrapping the steep tariffs – and the country’s drivers think they should.

In a recent pole conducted by Canada’s CTV News, almost two thirds of respondents said they either supported or somewhat supported removing the 100 percent duty on Chinese-made EVs. A total 29 percent supported the removal of tariffs and 33 percent somewhat supported the move. Nine percent of those asked weren’t sure, while 27 percent either opposed or somewhat opposed ditching the duty altogether.

Related: Canada Freezes EV Mandate And GM Boss Can’t Stop Smiling

Canada’s government imposed the tariffs 11 months ago claiming the measure would shield local automakers from unfair Chinese competition. An EU study that led to similar, but less harsh, tariffs in the Old Continent found Chinese automakers received various forms of financial help from their country’s government.

Sliding EV Sales

Now, however, Canadian lawmakers have admitted that the tariffs are up for review. One of the reasons is that EV sales have cratered in the country, with figures released this week showing registrations of fully electric cars north of the US border are down a massive 39.2 percent, in part due to the lower availability of incentives.

Canada recently scrapped its mandate that 20 percent of all new vehicles be zero emissions by 2026 having realized the target was unworkable. Giving drivers access to more EVs, and ones with attractively low prices at that, could potentially boost electric car takeup – or so the thinking goes.

CTV Survey: Do You Support Removing 100 Percent Tariff on Chinese EVs?

Source: CTV News

Pressure From the Fields

There’s another force pushing for the removal of tariffs, though, and it’s nothing to do with cars or meeting lower emissions targets: it’s farmers. The agricultural industry hopes that by Canada agreeing to scrap 100 percent tariffs on EVs, or at least lower the rate, might make China willing to remove its own 75.8 percent tariffs on Canadian crops such as Canola.

Canada’s PM Mark Carney last week pledged $370 million CAD ($267m US) in support for the Canola market to help it weather the tariffs. The Canola industry supports 206,000 Canadian jobs and contributes $43.7 billion CAD ($31.6 bn US) to the country’s economy, according to Canola Digest, so the local government obviously pays great attention to it.

Love’ em or hate’ em, electric vehicles are, on average, pricier to buy than their ICE counterparts. A new study suggests that they’re more expensive to insure as well – and we’re not talking about a few basis points. However, after digging into the details, the results are not as clear-cut as they seem.

More: Filing A $100K Insurance Claim For A Crash Works Better If You’re Actually In Your Porsche

The data in question comes from a study by Insurify. It leveraged over 97 million insurance quotes to determine the average rate for gas-powered and electric cars. Rates reflect full coverage on a 2020 model year or newer. In most cases, the quoted figures reflect a driver with a clean record and good or better credit. Overall, it says that EV owners pay 49 percent more to insure their cars.

Why Rates Run Higher

The explanation seems straightforward enough. EVs come with higher costs to start with, even when compared directly with gas-powered competitors and they’re typically more expensive to repair when they’re damaged. Parts are harder to come by and a damaged battery, for instance, can write off a car faster than an average engine failure.

On top of all this, keep in mind that EVs are often very new models with little to no aftermarket or junkyard support. It’s no wonder that insurance companies might build in a buffer for that risk.

Question Marks in the Data

Despite that, there are some questionable bits with the study. Some of the matchups mentioned raise eyebrows. For example, it directly compares the Tesla Model X to the Audi Q3 and the Mercedes A-Class goes up against the Tesla Model 3. These, however, aren’t really apples-to-apples comparisons, as some on Reddit pointed out. As one commenter put it, “Some of these comparisons make genuinely zero sense.”

What is important to note is the fact that ignoring certain factors like real-world repairability, warranty coverage, or depreciation curves, could tilt the figures against EVs quickly. In addition, each repair case is, to one degree or another, unique.

For example, while engine replacement typically isn’t as costly as a battery replacement, the true cost depends entirely on the car in question. On top of that, the federally mandated 8-year/100,000-mile EV battery warranty offered on every new EV reduces risk for owners, a factor that insurers might not fully weigh.

A Few Useful Takeaways

Even with the caveats, the study did highlight which EVs are cheapest to insure. Models like the Chevrolet Blazer, Nissan Leaf, Kia Niro EV, Hyundai Ioniq lineup, Ford F-150 Lightning, and the Subaru Solterra/Toyota bZ4X twins all made the list.

Still, whether the numbers are genuinely meaningful is up for debate. Insurance for EVs might trend higher for the time being, but with questionable methodology and comparisons, this study might say more about how we measure costs than it does about EV ownership. 

Credit: Insurify

Few could have predicted just how quickly Chinese automakers would come to dominate the affordable EV market. In less than a decade, brands from the People’s Republic have gone from underdogs to leaders, reshaping global competition so dramatically that legacy carmakers have largely stepped back from the lower-cost segment, according to a new UK report.

Read: China’s Most British Roadster Freshens Up For 2026

The study, published by the FIA Foundation, highlights how the rise of small, budget-friendly EVs from China is pushing European and British manufacturers to concentrate on larger and more premium models instead.

China’s Growing Edge

“China, which now accounts for 27pc of global passenger car sales, has secured a competitive edge in manufacturing smaller EVs, with strengths across key aspects of EV production, including battery supply chains, manufacturing efficiency and software,” the report says. “It means China has evolved from a net importer of passenger cars before 2020 to the world’s largest net exporter.”

According to the report, this has led to European and British brands to cede the affordable car market. Of course, whether or not the car manufacturers themselves would admit this remains to be seen.

While EVs from China have been kept out of the US, they are becoming an increasingly common sight in the UK. Of all the new cars sold in the UK in June, roughly 19,000 of them were made by Chinese brands like MG, BYD, Omoda, and Jaecoo. Currently, there are more than 130 EV models available in the country and of these, 33 are priced under £30,000 ($40,200).

Small Cars, Big Potential

The surge in Chinese EVs could help to combat the swelling size of new vehicles. As noted by the chief executive of the RAC Foundation, Steve Gooding, “Our love affair with Fiesta-sized cars might swiftly be rekindled if more small, keenly priced EV models start coming to market,” he told Yahoo!.

Incentives from the nation’s Department of Transport could help to increase the number of small EVs on local roads. Discounts of up to £3,750 ($5,025) are available for new electric cars and more than 100,000 addition public charging locations are in the works.

A new piece of research has sparked lively debate about how best to treat an EV battery, especially for those hoping to maximize its lifespan. With replacement costs still high, it’s no surprise that owners want clear answers on whether gentle driving or spirited use is better for long-term health.

Also: Breakthrough EV Battery Patent Could Charge In Minutes And Cross A Continent

EV batteries are still hugely expensive to replace, even if prices have fallen, so it’s only natural that anyone in for the ownership long-haul would want to look after theirs by driving and charging carefully. But a recent study published in the scientific journal Nature led some to believe that getting stuck into the right pedal on a regular basis and enjoying an EV’s performance could extend battery life.

The study, ‘Dynamic cycling enhances battery lifetime,’ compared the kind of discharge profiles achieved by a constant-current cycle in lab conditions with dynamic charging and discharging profiles from real-world EV use. It found that batteries subjected to the supposedly more gentle constant-current tests aged more rapidly than the more realistic ones.

Interpreting the Science

But before you head off to absolutely beast your EV down the highway, feeling like you’ve just been told a daily diet of Big Macs and beer will ensure you live to 120, it’s worth hearing what the battery diagnostic specialists from Aviloo have to say on the matter.

Aviloo’s own field tests of 402 identical EVs found that driving enthusiastically was a sure-fire way to shorten a battery’s lifespan, Auto Motor und Sport reports. The reason is that driving hard increases energy consumption and that means more charging cycles, more battery stresses and accelerated aging.

“If you drive efficiently, you save around ten percent of energy in the life cycle,” Aviloo’s Nikolaus Mayerhofer told AMS. “This means that 100,000 km (62,000 miles) with economical driving roughly corresponds to the battery load of 110,000 km (68,000 miles) with an aggressive driving style.”

Practical Advice for Owners

Aviloo isn’t suggesting the authors of the dynamic charging study got it wrong, only that other people misinterpreted their results. Its advice for anyone looking to maximize their EV’s battery life is unchanged: drive efficiently, and unless really necessary don’t fast-charge, charge over 80 percent or leave a car with a ton of juice in it for long periods.

But if that all sounds like too much work or just plain boring, all is not lost. In a recent German study a VW ID.3 lost only 8 miles (13 km) of range after four years and 107,000 miles (172,000 km), despite almost always being charged to full and often being left parked up fully charged.

According to the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index Automobile Study, Americans are becoming less satisfied with their vehicles. The overall satisfaction index dropped one point this year to 79.

Mainstream brands held steady at 79, while luxury brands slipped a point as they fell to 80. The biggest drop came from smaller brands, which are grouped into an “others” category, as they plunged 9% to 74.

More: New Car Owners Overwhelmed By Modern Technology

Jumping into specifics, Subaru was deemed the most satisfying brand with a score of 85. It was followed by Mazda and Toyota in second with 82, while Buick, GMC, and Honda tied for third at 81.

Stellantis had a dismal showing as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram all fell. In fact, all four brands found themselves at the bottom of the list with Chrysler and Ram tied for dead last at 69.

2025 American Customer Satisfaction Index For Mainstream Brands

ACSI

Interestingly, satisfaction with most vehicle related components and experiences was largely unchanged. However, there were drops related to technology and safety. The latest study also introduced two new categories – expected future resale or trade-in value and driving distance on a full charge or full tank of gas – and consumers weren’t exactly thrilled with either, especially for EVs.

On the luxury side of the equation, Lexus was top dog with a score of 87. They were followed by Mercedes (82) as well as Cadillac and Tesla, which tied for third at 81. BMW finished last with a score of 75 and they dropped four points from 2024.

2025 American Customer Satisfaction Index For Luxury Brands

ACSI

Luxury buyers were less satisfied with a number of things including driving performance, exteriors, interiors, and technology. There were also drops in safety and dependability.

Aside from the mainstream versus luxury divide, people were less satisfied with hybrids and EVs. Hybrids fell two points to 80, while electric vehicles dropped four points to fall to 73. This stands in contrast to gas-powered models, which held steady with a satisfaction index of 80.

The American Customer Satisfaction Index noted that with 22% of borrowers opting for 84-month loans, there will likely be an increased emphasis on reliability and dependability as consumers are holding onto their vehicles for longer. Ram spotted this shift awhile ago and they recently launched a new 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty.

ACSI

Electric vehicles are often billed as an eco-friendly solution to the world’s problems, but it appears they’re hiding a dirty secret. In this case, it’s high levels of particulates near EV charging stations.

The surprising finding was discovered by researchers from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, who took readings at 50 DC fast charging stations and compared them to other sites. They were interested in potentially dangerous air particles known as PM2.5, which are about 30 times smaller than a human hair.

More: EVs Pollute 30% Less Than ICE Over Lifetime, But Only After 56K Miles

In Los Angeles, the study found the urban background PM2.5 concentration is 7 to 8 micrograms per cubic meter and that increases to around 10 to 11 on freeways or at busy intersections. Gas stations clocked in at around 12 micrograms per cubic meter, while fast chargers averaged 15 and peaked as high as 200.

UCLA

Researchers noted the highest levels were found at the chargers’ power cabinets, but concentrations dropped “quite a bit” just a few meters away. They added that “a few hundred meters away, there’s no noticeable difference compared to background levels of pollution.”

Dr. Yuan Yao said, “Our findings suggest that these tiny particles likely come from particle resuspension around the DCFC’s power cabinets.” She went on to explain the cabinets convert electricity from the grid into the direct current needed to charge electric vehicles, and they also contain fans to prevent them from overheating. It’s believed these fans are stirring up dust and particles, making air around charging stations ‘dirty.’

UCLA

Dr. Michael Jerrett explained the dangers as he said, “These particles are so small, they can travel deep into your lungs and even enter your bloodstream – potentially leading to serious problems like heart or lung disease.” Unsurprisingly, those with pre-existing conditions or heightened sensitivity are at higher risk of suffering health issues related to fine particle exposure.

Despite the risks, UCLA environmental health professor Yifang Zhu said “EVs remain a vast improvement over combustion vehicles, and our own studies show that transportation electrification cleans the air for everyone.” She went on to suggest the charger emissions could be addressed by adding air filters to the power cabinets.

In the meantime, researchers suggest that EV drivers remain inside their vehicle with the climate control system running, while it charges. As an alternative, they can leave the area to get to cleaner air.

H/T to Bloomberg

UCLA