Amid mounting uncertainty about the expansion of public charging infrastructure, home charging continues to be a reliable advantage for electric vehicle (EV) owners. However, satisfaction among owners of both Level 2 portable and permanently mounted home chargers has declined, according to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Home Charging Study, released today. Overall satisfaction for Level 2 portable chargers dropped to 714 (on a 1,000-point scale), while Level 2 permanently mounted chargers scored 733—down 21 and 11 points, respectively, from last year. Satisfaction with Level 1 portable chargers, which offer slower charging speeds, remains unchanged at 581.
“Home charging remains the pinnacle of convenience for EV owners, but there are growing frustrations across all three charging segments,” said Brent Gruber, executive director of the EV practice at J.D. Power. “Among the top concerns are charging speeds, cord length, and the rising cost of electricity. With energy prices continuing to climb in many parts of the country, these factors are having a negative impact on overall satisfaction. Since charging speed has a significant influence on the customer experience, ensuring that speeds meet user expectations should be a priority for home charging providers.”
Connectivity Issues Plague Level 2 Chargers Despite High Satisfaction
Level 2 permanently mounted chargers, while achieving the highest satisfaction scores, are also the most problematic, with 39.0 problems per 100 chargers (PP100). Nearly one-third (31%) of these issues stem from internet/Wi-Fi connectivity problems and charger app malfunctions. “These features, which are not commonly available on other charger types, offer a competitive edge for Level 2 providers,” said Gruber. “However, ensuring consistent performance across diverse home environments remains a challenge that suppliers must address to maintain high satisfaction.”
Rising Electricity Costs Erode Satisfaction
Consumers are showing signs of fatigue with rising electricity prices. The average amount spent on home charging in the past 30 days increased to $58, up $2 from the previous year. Consequently, satisfaction with the cost of charging dropped 8 points to 698. While this increase may seem modest, it reflects growing post-pandemic consumer sensitivity to rising costs, coupled with uncertainty surrounding potential changes to federal EV incentives and energy regulations. Notably, satisfaction levels vary significantly by region. Owners on the West Coast and in the Northeast, where electricity costs are highest, reported significantly lower satisfaction scores—580 and 651, respectively—compared to 728 in other regions where prices remain more stable.
Charging Speed Remains Critical to Customer Experience
Charging speed continues to be a decisive factor in determining owner satisfaction. When users encounter slower-than-expected charging speeds, satisfaction drops by a substantial 141 points compared to those who experience normal or faster charging speeds. While connectivity issues, such as app malfunctions or Wi-Fi disruptions, also affect satisfaction, they result in a smaller decline of 74 points. This disparity highlights why satisfaction remains relatively high among owners of Level 2 permanently mounted chargers despite their higher rate of reported problems—these chargers generally deliver faster, more consistent charging experiences.
Signs of Slowing Adoption for Level 2 Chargers
While Level 2 permanently mounted chargers remain the most popular option among EV owners, there are signs that adoption may be slowing. Usage rates for Level 2 chargers are highest among owners of 2022 model-year vehicles, but data shows a steady increase in Level 1 charger usage among owners of 2023 and newer models. “Access to Level 2 charging at home is a key driver of overall EV satisfaction,” Gruber noted. “To maintain momentum in Level 2 adoption, the industry should reinforce the benefits—whether through original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) or aftermarket solutions—while addressing barriers that may be slowing adoption.”
Study Rankings and Industry Insights
The study evaluates the home charging experience for EV owners across all three charging segments, though only the Level 2 permanently mounted charger segment is eligible for awards. For the fifth consecutive year, Tesla ranked highest among Level 2 permanently mounted charging stations, with a score of 776. Emporia followed closely at 763, while Wallbox secured third place with 756.
Now in its fifth year, the U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Home Charging Study is conducted in collaboration with PlugShare, a leading EV driver app and research firm. The study serves as the industry benchmark for measuring satisfaction with key attributes that define the overall EV home charging experience for both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
Satisfaction is measured across eight critical factors: fairness of retail price, cord length, charger size, ease of winding/storing the cable, cost of charging, charging speed, ease of use, and reliability. The 2025 study reflects responses from 10,472 owners of 2019-2025 model-year BEVs and PHEVs, collected between November 2024 and January 2025.