Tesla sales banned in New Jersey

First ecigs now electric cars?! Come on Christie

 

Why shouldn't e-cig's be subject to state taxes? When does nicotine become a medicine? As we say in the southern part of the state, "If God had intended for us to pay sales tax we wouldn't be next to Delaware."

 

And here I thought only Congress could legislate commerce between states.

 

Like Mark Twain quipped: "We've got the best government(s) that money can buy."

 

A year or so ago, Musk actually voiced the idea of going directly to federal court over the states and dealer association actions. I think they were listening in NC, but apparently not in NJ.

 

Happens today.

NJ Bill To Permit Direct Sales By Electric-Car Maker Tesla To Be Heard Tomorrow

 

I don't think Musk has standing to sue against state regulations. The states are only hurting themselves though. In texas Tesla can sell the cars throgh the internet (interstate commerce) but not from a physical building in texas that is not a dealership. BMW is putting up a tesla style showroom in down town austin to sell its i3 and i8 models, but it is a part of the bmw dealership, which routes all direct sales.

 

Some of the proposed actions in NC, IIRC, would have prevented any communication between Tesla and a potential customer. Even if the customer was to one to initiate.

 

The tesla show rooms can answer questions about the cars, and allow you to drive the cars. They can't talk about how to buy or finance the car. They email me, but not to buy. Texas dealers can't restrict internet or phone inqueries to the out of state offices. I would think the new jersey dealers couldn't restrict communications from out of state, as that would break federal laws, only communications within the state.

The auto dealers push against tesla in Texas is being financed mainly by 2 billionaires. Thomas Friedkin who controls Gulf States Toyota and Red McColmbs who has a toyota dealership. I don't know if its toyota that causes the tesla hate, or these texas billionaires just want a piece of Musk.

 

I would think NJ wouldn't restrict out of state communications, but it was what NC was considering.
North Carolina Senate Passes Bill To Block Direct Tesla Sales | Inside EVs
"According to the legislation, original equipment makers can not “use a computer or other communications facilities, hardware, or equipment” to sell vehicles in the future."

They backed off from it, but that doesn't mean stupid can't happen again.

 

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The obvious thing is to have an online system to choose your options, then you just print it out and send it via US mail or Fedex with your check.

Mike

 

Tesla is avoiding the right to repair act because they do not have an ice in any of their models. It's frustrating that service info is not and will not be available for any price. Any other vehicle maker is required to provide repair resources like service manuals.


iPhone ?

 

Assuming that hasn't been already banned by some existing law.

But the NC legislature didn't follow through, or NJ would have been the fourth state to ban Tesla sales.

 

President Obama has the exact same proposals (Teslas can only get the $7500 rebate if purchased at a dealership). That would affect the whole U.S. not just a tiny piece of it.

 

The latest.
Pro-Tesla electric car bill advances in NJ Assembly | NJ.com

 

There is a rift between making it harder to get subsidies, that the individual may not need, and making it harder to buy to begin with.

Which raises the question, are Tesla stores where you can buy the car counted as dealerships, or are they excluded by the proposed law? If excluded, will purchasers still be eligible for the tax credit or a mail in rebate?

 

Under Obama's proposal the EV tax credit would be eliminated & replaced with a "point of sale" rebate. That rebate would only be acquired at registered dealerships. (NOTE: Texas already has this rule in effect, so you can still buy a Tesla online, but will not get the rebate.)

But the States can regulate *inside* the state. That is how Colorado is able to legalize marijuana or Utah is able to ban Playboy in retail stores. It's also why some states require car insurance but other states do not. The states regulate their own land inside their borders (10th amendment).

 

Sounds like it has a chance to pass in NJ.
I could understand allowing sales in VA, since we have high car taxes, but NJ would seem to have less to gain, except of course it's good for buyers. NJ incentive is up to $4000? sales tax reduction for BEV, right?

 

Was the Tesla actually banned? I don't see any evidence that was the case. I thought New JErsey was like Texas: You could still buy the car at the Tesla store, but you'd not get the ~2000 dollar off rebate.

 

Selling at the Tesla store was banned.