While electric vehicles are making massive strides in assembly consistency , they are still proving more problematic for owners than their gas-powered counterparts.
In a recent episode of The AutoGuide Show podcast, Frank Hanley, Senior Director of Automotive Benchmarking at J.D. Power, shared the unfiltered truth about why EVs are still struggling to dominate vehicle quality leaderboards.
According to Hanley, the issue isn’t necessarily mechanical failure; instead, it’s rooted in the high-tech nature of EVs and how differently customers interact with them.
1. The Mobile App as a Lifeline
For an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, a manufacturer’s companion smartphone app is largely a luxury. You might use it to pre-warm the cabin or check if you locked the doors, but you still have a standard key fob to fall back on.
For an EV owner, the mobile app is a critical lifeline.
“On electric vehicles, it’s that lifeline,” Hanley explained. “You need to know: Is the car charging? How much range do I have? We definitely see a lot more problems in that area for them because customers are relying on that mobile app. When it’s not giving them the right information, it’s worrisome.”
When an app lags, misreports data, or fails to connect, it directly affects the driver’s ability to plan their day, turning software bugs into major consumer frustrations.
2. Tech Overload and Safety Features
Electric vehicles act as a rolling showcase for an automaker’s most advanced software, touchscreens, and driver-assistance features. However, higher tech penetration introduces more variables and more potential points of failure. From infotainment hiccups to hypersensitive safety sensors, the sheer volume of advanced tech on modern EVs naturally drives up the number of owner-reported complaints.
3. The 300-Mile Psychological Milestone
Unsurprisingly, charging infrastructure and range anxiety remain persistent obstacles. Drivers still deal with slow charging speeds and the occasional headache of trying to get a charging cable to properly connect and initiate a session.
However, Hanley notes that the industry has reached a distinct psychological tipping point regarding battery range.
“We do seem to see like 300 is the magic number now in the industry,” said Hanley. “If you get a car that has a 300-mile range, people seem to be a lot more comfortable than those EVs out there that are still below 300.”
Vehicles failing to hit that 300-mile threshold keep drivers on edge, amplifying any minor charging inconvenience into a much larger perceived quality issue.