The auto industry is seeing small signs of increased consumer confidence in fully automated self-driving vehicles, although overall confidence remains low, according to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Mobility Confidence Index Study released today. After a two-year decline, the index score for consumer automated vehicle (AV) readiness increases 2 points to 39 (on a 100-point scale), which is where it was in 2022.

While the index has started to move in the right direction, the pace with which consumers accept the technology remains relatively flat and safety continues to affect consumer confidence. To drive positive change, 83% of consumers say they want more safety statistics regarding the technology before riding and 86% say they want the ability to take control of the vehicle if needed. Until these issues are addressed and consumer expectations are met, gains in consumer confidence with the technology will remain low.

“This year’s improvement is minimal because there are still many unmet needs required to boost consumer confidence,” said Lisa Boor, senior manager of auto benchmarking and mobility development at J.D. Power. “Repeated and consistent reporting of safety findings over time—with independent oversight—will aid acceptance. Furthermore, addressing persistent concerns regarding insurance costs and data privacy also are paramount.”

Data privacy and hacking remain top concerns as 64% of consumers express concern that the data collected in the vehicle is not safe and secure and 80% want to understand what is being done to prevent fully automated, self-driving vehicles from being hacked. In fact, this issue is becoming so important to consumers that 40% (definitely and probably will) indicated that the automakers’ data protection policy will be a reason to purchase one brand over another when shopping for their next vehicle.

The J.D. Power 2024 Mobility Confidence Index Study is based on responses from 3,000 vehicle owners in the United States who are age 18 or older, and who completed an online survey. The study results are balanced to basic census demographics to be nationally representative. The study was fielded in August 2024 and is based on seven unique attributes of consumer comfort with fully automated, self-driving vehicles.