Car dealers throw cold water on electric vehicles versus gas options: ‘I wouldn’t feel safe’

Car dealers have expressed both caution and optimism about electric vehicles, telling Fox News Digital that the technology still needs to advance and that they would not feel comfortable having one as the sole car in the household.

Abdul Cummings, the owner of Jersey City Autoland, told Fox News Digital that few people he has encountered feel confident buying pre-owned electric vehicles.

According to Cummings, electric vehicles typically require low maintenance and the cost of ownership is often as advertised. However, many potential buyers are concerned about the distance EVs can travel.

«There's a lot of range phobia when it comes to electric vehicles. I think that's still the main obstacle,» Cummings said, suggesting that charging stations are still nowhere near where they need to be in many parts of the country.

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Cummings also said he would not recommend electric cars as the only vehicle in the household, especially for long trips. He said EVs are most beneficial in commuting situations where the driver is going 50 to 100 miles at a time.

«I wouldn't take my wife and kids down to the shore for a two-week vacation with an electric vehicle,» Cummings added. «I wouldn't feel comfortable. You know, in any situation, many things can happen. I wouldn't feel safe.»

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the number of EV charging ports in the U.S. nearly doubled in the past three years. However, many of these stations are located in California, Florida, New York, Washington, Texas and New Jersey.

Champion Auto Sales owner Amr Youssef said that while electric vehicles are growing in presence on the street, the majority of people are still looking for gas-operated vehicles. He agreed that the culture around EVs is currently more so among people looking for a second or even third car in the household.

He believes it will take some time for the proper infrastructure to be built in homes and across highways before EVs become mainstream. However, Youssef is already seeing increased demand compared to two or three years ago.

«It's an education process,» Youssef said. «It's the same with like the solar panels. It's