
State Dems Propose Removing Tesla Buying ‘Advantages’ in WA
The bill would also force Tesla to close its service centers in WA.
Legislators proposing ending Tesla's exemption to sell directly to consumers
Years ago, when Tesla was virtually the only major electric vehicle manufacturer in the US, an exemption was granted to allow them to sell directly to consumers, bypassing the traditional dealer franchise model. Now, a proposed bill would do away with that exemption, and force Tesla to close its service centers in WA.

The bill would lift the ban and allow other EV makers to do what Tesla's been doing for years.
According to The Center Square:
"While companies like Rivian and Lucid can have physical locations in Washington to display and promote their EVs, interested parties can’t test drive vehicles, discuss purchasing options, or buy a vehicle. Would-be customers have to go online to buy, lease or get questions answered.
Bipartisan legislation, Senate Bill 5377, sponsored by state Sen. Rebecca Saldana, D-Seattle, would lift the ban on direct sales, putting other EV companies on a level playing field with Tesla in terms of customer transactions."
The WA State Auto Dealer's Association is in favor of the bill, saying the franchise model has been the mainstay of delivering and servicing vehicles in WA, and will continue to be.
However, some are questioning the mandated closing of the Tesla Service Centers in WA. Their website lists 6 of them, mostly in the Seattle area, but there is one in Liberty Lake outside of Spokane. Other sources say there are 20 in WA.
Closing their service centers would force owners to look for local auto shops that have the necessary tools to service, which could potentially bring up warranty violation issues. The idea of purchasing a vehicle that doesn't have service readily available in a driver's state could affect consumer choices and sales.
Tesla's Northwest Regional Sales and Delivery Manager Ava Ames, voiced opposition to the bill:
“Tesla has been and continues to be Washington state’s catalyst for electric vehicle adoptio.Taking away our ability to sell [directly] to customers limits consumer choice, hurts Washington’s continued transition to sustainable transportation and eliminates jobs for hundreds of people and families who are still very much dedicated to leaving the world in a better place than they found it.”
Critics of the bill point out it's curious that given the WA State government's feverish push toward all-EV vehicles on its roads by 2035, this bill would potentially diminish or hinder the public from buying certain models of EVs.
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