As expected, electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla is getting another shot to convince the legislature to allow it to bypass dealerships and sell cars directly to consumers.
Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) introduced the bill last week.
A similar bill passed the House last year, following a compromise with auto dealers that Tesla be limited to three sales locations, but the legislation died in the Senate.
Tesla said in November that it intended to try again.
Duff’s bill, An Act Concerning the Licensing of New and Used Car Dealers, also calls for a limit of three retail locations. The bill was referred to the Joint Committee on Transportation on Feb. 3.
“Allowing customers to purchase electric cars without leaving the state not only benefits our consumers, but also Connecticut’s economy,” Duff said in a statement.
The language doesn’t mention Tesla by name, but aims to authorize the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue a dealer’s license to a company that manufactures electric vehicles exclusively, doesn’t have dealership franchise agreements, is not owned or controlled by another manufacturer licensed as a dealer, and does not have a controlling interest in a manufacturer licensed as a dealer.
Tesla says there are more than 1,000 Tesla owners in Connecticut.
Read more
