We added the official page where you can read the bill in details below.
It’s official, New Jersey just lifted the Tesla and other electric carmakers ban from selling cars directly in the state of New Jersey as the bill makes it way.
Bill A3216 made it
The famous Bill (A3216) is making its way to the state Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee, which approved Tesla Motors to restart the sales of its Model S in the state of New Jersey, as well as open two more stores. This means there is little to no chance it would stall. You can read our previous stories here, where you see how New Jersey and its high-profile Senator were entangled in the automotive direct sales fiasco, heavily backed by the automotive dealerships association. And in case you were wondering, the vote was unanimous, 4-0.
This sets a precedent to disruptive business models, such as Tesla’s. It also should serve as a clear sign to political shenanigans that when consumers ask for something, it might be a good idea to listen and scale back on the heavy lobby pressures. As I wrote on Teslarati, “opposition becomes a formidable tool for freedom of choice.”
Tesla Motors vice president of business development Diarmuid O’Connell talked to the committee and said: “This is a super important issue for us in New Jersey, and as some of you would know, nationally as well,” O’Connell said, adding the bill would “allow us to in a modest way and a reasonable way conduct the business of educating the public about electric vehicles and getting as many of those vehicles on the road as quickly as possible.”
Assemblyman Tim Eustace (D-Bergen) who publicly backed the bill said: “New Jersey prides itself as being pro-business, pro-innovative and pro-jobs. And this is a company that is an American company, an American idea. I think we would be mistaken if we didn’t’ reverse the idea that the MVC made, making it illegal to sell Teslas in New Jersey.”
Next step for Tesla Motors
At this stage, we can only wonder how Arizona and Texas will react to this Tesla Motors news that was banned from selling directly i New Jersey. Ohio was next, but seeing the fiasco, decided to invite the company to the table for negotiations. This means states wondering how to “regulate” free market will have to carefully weigh their decisions in the future.
Read the New Jersey bill here.
Nicolas Zart
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Nick,
Doesn’t the full Assembly and/or Senate still have to vote on the law and the governor have to sign it before the bill actually becomes law?
Or does NJ follow a different set of procedures as other states/Federal government.
–Dennis
Technically, you’re right Dennis. But without opposition, without counter arguments, there is no way it could stall. It’s as good as signed. Never the less, politics can flip around in the most counter-productive ways sometimes.
Actually, there are a lot of ways for it to stall. First, it has to be brought up for vote, which is not guaranteed. Second, it could be brought up for vote but delayed and then die on the vine waiting for a vote. Finally, the governor could refuse to sign it and send it right back to the legislature. Happens all the time.
True, technically, but think about it for a second. With all the news it has generated, the infuriated comments, posts and articles, with the upcoming presidential election and how Christie is on the hot spot, with the political ramifications for his party, add to this the automotive dealerships hasn’t objected, nor has anyone countered it yesterday, stalling it, killing it would be political suicide.
OK, I’ll grant you politicians and policymakers can do the strangest things at times, but this one would be aiming at one foot, after having shot the other.