Consumer Survey Results in Low Confidence in Automated and Electric Vehicles

August 1, 2019

William Kucinski

Consumer report specialist, J.D. Power, tracked consumer thoughts regarding automated vehicles (AVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) in its 2019 Mobility Confidence Index Study and found that consumers lack confidence in the future of AVs and – to a lesser degree – EVs. On a 100-point scale, the Mobility Confidence Index for self-driving vehicles is 36 and EVs is 55, suggesting that marketing self-driving technology to consumers to build understanding, trust, and acceptance may be an industry-wide challenge on a similar scale of actually developing EVs and automated vehicles.

Sentiment is segmented into three categories: low (0-40), neutral (41-60) and positive (61-100). J.D. Power partnered with global survey software company SurveyMonkey to conduct the study in which 5,749 consumers were polled about self-driving vehicles and 5,270 about battery-electric vehicles.

William Kucinski is content editor at SAE International, Aerospace Products Group in Warrendale, Pa. Previously, he worked as a writer at the NASA Safety Center in Cleveland, Ohio and was responsible for writing the agency’s System Failure Case Studies. His interests include literally anything that has to do with space, past and present military aircraft, and propulsion technology.

Contact him regarding any article or collaboration ideas by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..