A New Jersey lawmaker has introduced a bill that would allow Tesla Motors Inc. to continue selling its electric vehicles directly to consumers, a practice banned by the state two weeks ago.
Assemblyman Tim Eustace’s bill follows the March 11 vote of the eight-member state Motor Vehicle Commission, which consists of members of Gov. Chris Christie’s cabinet and other gubernatorial appointees, to block Tesla’s business model that circumvents the use of traditional dealerships.
“Because of this new rule, an interested buyer looking for more fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendly vehicle options can go look and ask questions about an electric car in New Jersey, but will have to go to Pennsylvania or New York if he or she actually wants to buy the car,” Eustace said in a statement. “How does sending business to other states help New Jersey’s economy?”