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New Jersey lawmaker proposes pro-Tesla bill, Christie blames legislature

New Jersey State Assemblyman Tim Eustace (D-Bergen) has introduced a bill that would let electric car retailers such as Tesla sell directly to consumers. The bill (A2986) would override a March 11 decision by the state’s Motor Vehicle Commission which effectively banned sales of the Model S.

“What we should be doing is supporting American entrepreneurs and American businesses,” said Eustace, who drives a LEAF, and whose district includes Paramus, home to one of Tesla’s existing showrooms.

Governor Chris Christie has been taking flak from both left and right since the Motor Vehicle Commission, whose board members are chosen by the Governor, approved a new rule outlawing Tesla’s direct sales in his state. This week Christie deflected blame to the state Legislature.

“I’m not pushing Tesla out; the state Legislature did,” said Christie. “They passed a law, which is still on the books, which says if you want to sell cars in this state, you must go through an authorized dealer. My job is not to make the laws, it’s to enforce the laws. And Tesla was operating outside the law.”

“I have no problem with Tesla selling directly to customers, except that it’s against the law in New Jersey,” he added. “What they were asking for was an exception from the law. I’m not the king. I don’t get to grant exceptions to the law.”

 

Source: NJ.com
Image: Joseph Thornton/Flickr

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