I don’t think this has been a local phenomenon either; my impression is that people are doing this nationally.

  • pelespirit
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    5 days ago

    Tesla and Rivian had special deals to promote EVs.

    Lawmakers could change how Teslas, Rivians are sold in WA

    A set of bills introduced by Washington lawmakers could shake up how electric vehicles like Teslas and Rivians are sold in Washington, touching on a fierce debate that has long divided EV advocates and auto dealerships.

    One bill would take away a special provision that has allowed Tesla to offer test drives and sell directly to consumers at physical stores. Another bill would expand the number of EV-only manufacturers, beyond Tesla, that can sell cars directly to consumers.

    How EVs are sold in Washington has been a sore topic with EV startups and climate advocates arguing against an older model of auto sales through traditional dealerships. Dealerships have argued in their defense that they represent the future of EV sales that best protects consumers.

    https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/climate-lab/lawmakers-could-change-how-teslas-rivians-are-sold-in-wa/

    • Zaktor@sopuli.xyz
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      5 days ago

      I’ve never once in my life considered car dealerships an institution that does anything at all to “protect consumers”.

    • silence7@slrpnk.netOP
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      5 days ago

      Yeah. The problem with dealers is that fossil cars need more service, and that’s where the dealer makes money. So dealers of legacy brands push fossil cars much harder than EVs.

      For a dedicated EV brand, having no dealers is a money grab, since you don’t need to have the dealer turn a profit.