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The electric vehicle (EV) market is evolving rapidly, and companion mobile apps are now central to the ownership experience. According to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. OEM EV App Report, EV app usage is surging, with owners relying on apps for functions like remote charging, climate control, and trip planning. However, connectivity issues, slow response times, and inconsistent features are hindering user satisfaction, even as expectations grow for seamless, fast app performance. The report highlights Tesla and MyHyundai with Bluelink as leaders in premium and mass-market segments, respectively, while identifying key areas for improvement across the industry.
Key Highlights:
- Rising App Usage: 32% of non-Tesla EV owners use apps every drive (up from 17% in 2024), while 79% of Tesla owners do (up from 69%).
- Speed Matters: 46% of users expect remote commands in 3-5 seconds; Tesla users demand 1-2 seconds, with speed driving satisfaction.
- Connectivity Woes: 37% of non-Tesla users face connectivity issues (down from 40%), while Tesla reduced complaints to 19% from 35%.
- Feature Gaps: 43% of non-Tesla users never schedule charging, 44% skip trip planning, and 54% don’t use in-app charging payments.
- Evolving Desires: Interest in features like driver profiles (+6.3%), remote window control (+3.7%), and smartphone key access (+2.2%) is growing.
Performance and Rankings
The report ranks Tesla (864) highest among premium EV apps, followed by Mercedes-Benz (839) and My BMW (833). In the mass-market segment, MyHyundai with Bluelink (820) leads, with Kia Access (808) and MINI (797) trailing. Tesla’s edge stems from faster responses and fewer connectivity issues, while non-Tesla brands struggle to meet rising expectations.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite increased app reliance, satisfaction lags due to slow connections and underused features. Many non-Tesla users are unaware of or lack access to advanced features like charge scheduling or in-app payments, representing a missed opportunity for brands. The report also notes growing interest in innovative features, such as remote window control and security alerts, urging brands to prioritize frequent updates and transparent communication.
Methodology and Scope
The J.D. Power 2025 U.S. OEM EV App Report, in its fifth year, surveyed 1,966 U.S. EV owners in March-April 2025 and evaluated apps from 28 major brands, including those from China and Europe. The study uses over 350 best practices and 70 EV-specific attributes to assess app performance.
Bottom Line
As EV adoption grows, mobile apps are becoming indispensable, but brands must address connectivity, speed, and feature awareness to boost satisfaction. Leaders like Tesla and MyHyundai set the standard, but the industry has room to improve.
For more details, visit J.D. Power’s EV App Report.
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