Tesla is the only EV maker that can sell directly to consumers in WA. Lawmakers might change that

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Washington wants more electric vehicles on the road. It’s offered generous incentives for EV buyers and set deadlines barring new gasoline-powered car sales.

The next step, some say, is revising a law that does not allow customers to buy an electric vehicle directly from the automaker, instead forcing them to go through a dealership.

There’s one notable exception: Tesla.

The electric carmaker, founded and led by billionaire Elon Musk, can make direct sales in Washington due to an exemption obtained a decade ago. At that time, it was the lone electric vehicle manufacturer seeking access to the market.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/02/04/tesla-is-the-only-ev-maker-that-can-sell-directly-to-consumers-in-wa-lawmakers-might-change-that/

[GiqueCee]

1. Wait a minute...

... I thought Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning were the original founders of Tesla. Musk just bought a controlling share of the company, forced them out, and took credit for their work. I wouldn't trust Musk's word if he told me the sky was blue. He's a lying, thieving psychopath.

[MichMan]

2. Eberhard and Tarpenning were gone by 2008-2009

The only vehicle they were involved in substantially was the original Roadster, which was based on the Lotus Elise. Lotus did much of the design work other than the powertrain, and supplied partially assembled vehicles. A total of 2500 were built and sold worldwide from 2008-2012.

[GiqueCee]

3. Thanks for the info...

... the Lotus Elite that I was familiar with back in the 60s was a sweet ride. A friend who was a factory-trained mechanic turbocharged one. He taped a C-note to the dashboard on the passenger's side and told riders that if the could reach it while he was accelerating down the causeway in Marblehead, they could keep it. That Benjamin stayed where it was for as long as I can remember!