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Connecticut may let Telsa sell EVs directly to customers

Republicans and Tesla lovers unite! Connecticut may become the next state to legalize the direct factory-to-customer distribution method championed by the California-based electric vehicle maker. And that's because one state senator had to drive a little too far to get his new rig. Republican Senator Art Linares was forced to drive to White Plains, NY, to buy his Model S (those senators get paid well, don't they) because Connecticut has just one showroom in the state, and no sales are allowed, Green Car Reports says. Linares, of course, says catching flack from the state's dealership association is worth the trouble because of the new jobs he says Tesla dealerships would bring. Connecticut has been close to the leading edge of electric-vehicle promotion, though still hasn't joined states like New York, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, Pennsylvania in allowing for Tesla to employ its distribution model. Last March, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) started a new promotion called the "Connecticut Revolutionary Dealer Award, in which dealers were provided state incentives to sell electric vehicles. And last May, Connecticut became one of eight states (led by California) that were named part of the Multi-State ZEV Action Plan. Those states, which also included Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont, vowed to collectively have 3.3 million zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) on their roads by 2025. Featured Gallery Tesla Model S View 10 Photos News Source: Green Car Reports via Clean Technica, Transport EvolvedImage Credit: AP Photo / Al Behrman Green Tesla Electric ev sales dealer fight connecticut

How to get people to ignore your Tesla Model S

In a crowdfunding campaign that seems destined to fail (only $5 have been raised of a $25,000 target after two weeks), we find a master class in getting people to not care about a Tesla Model S. In short, you add a new look to a car that a lot of people think doesn't need one, apparently. Koncept Cars, a San Jose, California startup, wants to design and build "high-performance electric vehicles," according to the IndieGoGo page, which claims that the company's first project is the Koncept S Coupe. Of course, Koncept Cars isn't building the car at all, yet, it's just changing the look. Koncept Cars is asking for $25,000 in order to, "fabricate a front bumper mold, a rear bumper mold, and production of the first run of carbon fiber bumper sets." Should the next 18 days really turn around and a $50,000 level get reached, then Koncept Cars, "will be able to acquire an early model, pre-owned Model S for the coupe conversion." Long-term, Koncept Cars hopes to offer the Koncept S, "as a build package for Model S owners" and the company hopes to one day, "deliver a line of EVs that can charge through Tesla's global Supercharger network." Don't go looking for more at the Koncept Cars website because it is, well, a bit lacking. You can see more in the video below, where something appears to attack a Model S with some sort of Marvel comic ice blast. Hey, why not? This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Tesla Motors appeals sales ban in New Jersey

Resistance to the way Tesla Motors sells its cars - directly to the consumer, with no negotiating and no dealer middleman - comes mostly from dealership organizations around the country. It's also illegal in some states, thanks to laws ushered into place with help from dealers. The reaction to Tesla's new style of business is led by what Steve Blank calls, "rent seekers" or "landlords of the status-quo." Tesla itself isn't into that sort of name-calling, but it will take to the courts when necessary. Case in point, New Jersey, where the legislature voted in mid-March to stop Tesla stores from selling cars starting April 1. This week, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) extended a deadline until April 15, a move that could save the EV automaker's future in the state. Tesla has now filed with the state Superior Court asking that the ruling be appealed. Tesla says that the MVC is taking its orders from the state dealers association, the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers. Tesla also made an argument against the traditional gasoline vehicle dealers that we've heard before. Here is some of the text of the appeal: Franchise dealers have an inherent conflict of interest in selling electric vehicles. In order to do so effectively, they would need to enthusiastically tout the reasons why electric vehicles are superior to gasoline vehicles. This is not something that they are going to do since gasoline vehicles represent virtually all of their revenue. Dealers also depend on quick, high volume sales - incentivized by substantial sales commissions - in large, out-of-the-way facilities that contain large inventories of new and used cars. By contrast, Tesla sells its cars in relatively small showrooms, often located in shopping malls (like the two stores in New Jersey) that invite people unfamiliar with electric cars to drop in. You can read the full appeal in the PDF below. The TSLA stock price rose after the appeal was filed, but has since leveled out. Tesla vs. New Jersey Auto Dealers Superior Court Appeal by AutoblogGreen This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.