STUDY: The Youngstown metro area has 56.7% of new car dealers selling EVs

The Youngstown area has been making great strides in the electric vehicle (EV) market over the last few years.

According to a study from online automotive research website, iSeeCars, the percentage of new car dealers selling non-Tesla electric vehicles has increased by 330% nationwide since 2020. 

The study shows that out of 132 metro areas, the Valley is the 50th area with the highest percentage of new car dealers selling EVs.

The Youngstown metro area has 56.7% of new car dealers selling EVs, compared to 55.1% nationally.

iSeeCars executive analyst, Karl Brauer, attributes this growth to consumer interest in electric cars and local support of battery manufacturing facilities like Ultium Cells.                                                                                             

With the increase in traditional car brands like Ford, KIA, and Hyundai producing more EVs, Brauer told 21 News that non-Tesla EVs are also becoming more available to people buying used cars.

In Youngstown, 14.8% of used car dealers are now selling EVs. Youngstown ranks #121 for the percentage of used car dealers selling the vehicles.

As more people embrace the EV technology and choices for consumers expand, Brauer believes the EV market in the Valley will continue growing.

Despite the increase in auto dealers having more EVs on their lots, gasoline and hybrid vehicles are still selling faster than EVs. 

 “Even with massive price drops, electric vehicles are selling slower than gasoline and hybrid vehicles,” Brauer said adding, “This combination of lower prices and slower sales suggests EVs have hit a market demand threshold that will be difficult to break through. Everything from economic concerns to growing competition among electric vehicles is contributing to their downward trend.”