News & Resources
Washington Clean Car Choice Coalition launches, applauds bipartisan legislation to give consumers the choice to buy directly from any zero-emission vehicle-only manufacturer
Press Release| January 30, 2024
“A new statewide, cross-sector coalition — the Washington Clean Car Choice Coalition — launched today to advocate for legislators in Olympia to give Washington consumers the choice to purchase a vehicle directly from any zero-emission vehicle-only manufacturer that does not use the traditional franchise dealer network. Coalition members and advocates around the state are urging legislators to support House Bill (HB) 1721 and Senate Bill (SB) 5592, bipartisan proposals that would allow Washington consumers to buy cars directly from any zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) only-manufacturer with at least two service centers and a mobile service for customers…”
Why does Tesla have dealerships in WA, but other EV startups do not?
Seattle Times | July 4, 2024
“The showrooms for Tesla and Rivian, two electric vehicle manufacturers, are just a few steps from each other at University Village, and look a lot alike. The bright lighting, the shiny cars, the pitches for a vehicle of the future. But in Washington state, the consumer experience at the two stores is very different. At Tesla, you can find the typical dealership routine: a salesperson, a 30-minute test drive, ample opportunities to ask questions. At Rivian, that’s not the case. Employees there are prohibited by law from taking customers on a test drive or discussing anything about how much the car costs…”
Car dealers and Big Oil are suing the Biden administration over efforts to boost EV sales
Quartz | June 13, 2024
“Some powerful groups are suing the government to slow the adoption of electric vehicles. The American Petroleum Institute, along with the National Corn Growers Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation, and six auto dealers “collectively operating dozens of dealerships in major markets across the country,” announced Thursday that they filed a federal lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency. The groups aim to stop a Biden administration emissions standard that mandates about 56% of new U.S. vehicle sales be electric by 2032…”
Rivian, Lucid and other EVs stuck in park by failed effort to change car sales laws in Washington
GeekWire | February 27, 2024
“If you own one of the 3,853 Rivians registered in Washington, odds are you didn’t test drive the electric vehicle in the state. That’s because the law bars Rivian from selling directly to consumers, and the company isn’t working with franchised dealerships. And, at least in the near future, that situation is unlikely to change. The latest effort to revise the law has again stalled in the state’s capital, sunk by opposition from auto dealerships…”
Gov. Inslee visits Renton Technical College with EVs on agenda
Renton Reporter | December 4, 2023
“Starting Dec. 18, Renton Technical College (RTC) will kick off its latest specialized program after partnering with electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian — but first, the program was previewed by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and his staff. An avid supporter of electric vehicles, Inslee signed into law a bill that set 2035 as the date that all new cars registered in Washington state must be electric. ‘It’s vital as Washington transitions to electric vehicles that we have trained technicians,’ said Rivian policy advisor Hannah Steinweg…”
Discussion renewed over direct electric vehicle sales in Washington
King5| November 29, 2023
“A draft proposal shows Washington state’s Transportation Electrification Strategy could potentially recommend policy to ‘allow direct sales from electric vehicle automakers to consumers.’ Some environmentalist groups and electric vehicle (EV) advocates have been pushing for the change for years. Meanwhile, auto dealerships have spoken up against it, worried the move would impact their businesses.…”