Tesla Sales Now Legal As Little Maryland Goes Big On Electric CarsTesla Sales Now Legal As Little Maryland Goes Big On Electric Cars

Well, add one more to the list of states where Tesla Motors can legally sell its electric cars–and do so without having to use franchised dealers.
The Maryland General Assembly has reversed a ban on direct sales by Tesla, which displays its cars in Tesla Store and “gallery” facilities it operates.
Buyers then complete their purchase of the car online, much like buying consumer electronics directly from Apple.
DON’T MISS: Where Can Tesla Legally Sell Cars Directly To You? State-By-State Map
A story on PlugIn Sites, which publishes news “charging stations in DC, Maryland, Virginia, and beyond,” notes that a vote of the General Assembly just minutes before the end of its session now permits up to four Tesla Store locations in Maryland.
Previously Tesla was only permitted to operate “galleries” in which employees were forbidden to offer test drives, discuss vehicle prices, or even take reservations for the Tesla Model S.
Tesla Store opening in Westfield Mall, London, Oct 2013
In Maryland, the electric-car maker worked with the state dealer association. Tesla originally wanted six such locations, while General Motors had argued that only two should be permitted. It now has one such location in the state.
In most other states, Tesla has found itself in direct opposition to state dealer lobbyists, who have argued that consumers must transact all car purchases through independently owned third-party dealers for their own protection.
ALSO SEE: Iowa Dealers Shut Down Tesla Test Drives As Rep Humiliates Them
But that’s not the only electric-car news Maryland’s 6 million residents have heard recently.
The Chevrolet Spark EV, a battery-electric minicar with an 82-mile range, will go on sale in the state this year–making Maryland only the third state where the electric Spark is sold, after California and Oregon.
GM electric motor production
That car’s electric motor is assembled at a GM plant in White Marsh, Maryland, that will likely see greatly improved output if its motors are used in the upcoming 2017 Chevy Bolt EV electric car.
The Bolt will likely be built in far higher volumes–perhaps as many as 25,000 a year–than the Spark EV, a compliance car that has sold only about 2000 units in almost two years.
MORE: GM Now Building Chevy Spark EV Electric-Car Motors In Maryland (Apr 2013)
Battles over Tesla sales continue to be fought in a number of states, with the startup carmaker winning and losing battles in roughly equal numbers.
Presently, the carmaker is restricted to operating the “galleries” (sans test drives) in Arizona, Michigan, and Texas.
Assuming that Maryland governor Larry Hogan signs the bill when it reaches his desk, the law takes effect as of October 1.
_________________________________________________
Follow GreenCarReports on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

View original article at : “https://www.greencarreports.com//news/1097841_tesla-sales-now-legal-as-little-maryland-goes-big-on-electric-cars”