Benz
Active Member
When will be decided if Tesla Motors will be allowed to sell their cars directly or not? In which month can we expect to hear such a decision?
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bollar
Disgruntled Member
Legislation would have to be introduced and passed first and legislation hasn't been introduced yet.
Bills must be introduced by March 13 and June 1 is the last day of the session. If it passes, the Governor then has until June 22 to sign or veto. If he signs, the bill would become law on August 31, unless another date is specified in the law.
Benz
Active Member
OK
Thanks
Still enough time to introduce the Bill.
Tesla Motors is better prepared than they were the last time.
bollar
Disgruntled Member
Yes. In 2013, the House Business & Industry Committee reviewed HB 3351 favorably by a 4/1/0/2 margin (yes/no/present/absent) and it was sent to he put on the legislative calendar on 5/1/13. I expect we will receive similar good results this time.
In the Senate, though, the Transportation Committee left it (SB 1659) as a pending item (they didn't consider it), so this is a major "do better" for us as constituents this year.
My Senator was on the Transportation Committee last session, so I hope I can enlist his support this session.
Benz
Active Member
stephenpace
VIN S00219
Dan Patrick was the main guy driving the opposition in the Senate hearing (trying to help out the dealer representatives who were doing a terrible job). Now he is Lt. Governor.
Curious, is Lt. Governor a position of power in Texas or more of a figure head position that is just there in case something happens to the Governor?
bollar
Disgruntled Member
He controls the work of the Senate, which is potentially problematic. I expect he has more important things to worry about and we'll be dealing with his proxies.
SW2Fiddler
We Are Cognitive Dissidents
Civics Lesson For The Day
"Lite Guv" is the position with more power in Texas. Governor role is weak by comparison - this was intentionally set up to prevent "carpetbagging."
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bollar
Disgruntled Member
Doing my part:
Capriglione: PO Box 770, Keller, Texas 76244
Hancock: 9121 Belshire Drive, Suite 200, North Richland Hills, Texas 76182
Please Support Legislation to Allow US-Owned EV Manufactures to Sell Directly to Texas Consumers
Dear Representative Capriglione,
Dear Senator Hancock,
I’m writing to ask you to support legislation that would allow U.S.-based manufactures of all-electric or all-battery powered vehicles to sell and service directly to Texas consumers. I’m sure you have seen the rapidly rising number of Teslas and Leafs around Southlake — in fact, Southlake has one of the highest electric vehicle densities in North Texas.
But what you may not know is how difficult it is to actually buy an electric car in Texas. From experience, I can tell you that selling an electric car is more difficult than selling a regular car — most normal consumers have numerous questions that need to be answered before they’re willing to make a purchase — and traditional car dealers have demonstrated that they are not willing / able to make that investment. In my case, I went to the two nearest Nissan dealers to Southlake in an attempt to buy a Leaf. In both cases, the salesperson attempted to switch me away from the Leaf, and in the most egregious situation, the salesperson attempted a “bait and switch” — sadly, what most of us stereotypically expect from a car dealer.
Tesla has made a large investment in fixing the education problem. Perhaps you’ve been to the Tesla Gallery at North Park, or participated in one of their regular “Drive Events” at the Southlake Hilton. Tesla’s representatives are extremely helpful in answering all of the questions and are performing the education function that most dealers have demonstrated they are unwilling to do. But they’re in the ludicrous position of being able to tell you anything you want to know about the car, except for what it costs, or where to buy it.
The legacy Dealer Franchise laws prevent them from sharing this information. In addition, Tesla owners are further punished by these laws:
- They are not eligible for the $2500 Texas state incentive for purchasing an electric vehicle
- The sales & use tax can’t be included in a vehicle loan
- The owner must get the car inspected himself, and loses the ability to have a two year initial vehicle inspection.
But why should we care?
In short, electric vehicles are part of the solution to this State’s energy diversity and environmental objectives.
- Electric cars are powered by 100% Texas-sourced energy, via their utility. The typical energy mix for a North Texas resident, according to ERCOT is 56% natural gas, 23% coal, 13% wind and 6% nuclear — all of which comes from Texas.
- Electric cars move their emissions from the tailpipe to generating facilities that are much easier to keep clean — and are typically well outside of ozone non attainment areas.
On Thursday, there will be a meeting of Tesla owners at the Capitol on Colorado street between 11:30 and 2:30. I urge you to go visit them and hear their stories. I would also be pleased to meet with you when you’re back in North Texas and share how I think that allowing direct electric vehicle sales in Texas is good for the state. It unfortunately will not happen without exemption from the Dealer Franchise laws.
Best regards,
Capriglione: PO Box 770, Keller, Texas 76244
Hancock: 9121 Belshire Drive, Suite 200, North Richland Hills, Texas 76182
Please Support Legislation to Allow US-Owned EV Manufactures to Sell Directly to Texas Consumers
Dear Representative Capriglione,
Dear Senator Hancock,
I’m writing to ask you to support legislation that would allow U.S.-based manufactures of all-electric or all-battery powered vehicles to sell and service directly to Texas consumers. I’m sure you have seen the rapidly rising number of Teslas and Leafs around Southlake — in fact, Southlake has one of the highest electric vehicle densities in North Texas.
But what you may not know is how difficult it is to actually buy an electric car in Texas. From experience, I can tell you that selling an electric car is more difficult than selling a regular car — most normal consumers have numerous questions that need to be answered before they’re willing to make a purchase — and traditional car dealers have demonstrated that they are not willing / able to make that investment. In my case, I went to the two nearest Nissan dealers to Southlake in an attempt to buy a Leaf. In both cases, the salesperson attempted to switch me away from the Leaf, and in the most egregious situation, the salesperson attempted a “bait and switch” — sadly, what most of us stereotypically expect from a car dealer.
Tesla has made a large investment in fixing the education problem. Perhaps you’ve been to the Tesla Gallery at North Park, or participated in one of their regular “Drive Events” at the Southlake Hilton. Tesla’s representatives are extremely helpful in answering all of the questions and are performing the education function that most dealers have demonstrated they are unwilling to do. But they’re in the ludicrous position of being able to tell you anything you want to know about the car, except for what it costs, or where to buy it.
The legacy Dealer Franchise laws prevent them from sharing this information. In addition, Tesla owners are further punished by these laws:
- They are not eligible for the $2500 Texas state incentive for purchasing an electric vehicle
- The sales & use tax can’t be included in a vehicle loan
- The owner must get the car inspected himself, and loses the ability to have a two year initial vehicle inspection.
But why should we care?
In short, electric vehicles are part of the solution to this State’s energy diversity and environmental objectives.
- Electric cars are powered by 100% Texas-sourced energy, via their utility. The typical energy mix for a North Texas resident, according to ERCOT is 56% natural gas, 23% coal, 13% wind and 6% nuclear — all of which comes from Texas.
- Electric cars move their emissions from the tailpipe to generating facilities that are much easier to keep clean — and are typically well outside of ozone non attainment areas.
On Thursday, there will be a meeting of Tesla owners at the Capitol on Colorado street between 11:30 and 2:30. I urge you to go visit them and hear their stories. I would also be pleased to meet with you when you’re back in North Texas and share how I think that allowing direct electric vehicle sales in Texas is good for the state. It unfortunately will not happen without exemption from the Dealer Franchise laws.
Best regards,
http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/18/dealers-tesla-give-us-shot/
“If we were to go through them, we would fail,” he told Texas Tribune CEO and Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith last month during an interview at the Texas Transportation Forum.
The article also had some data on registrations I thought folks might find interesting...
Tesla’s footprint is still relatively small in Texas, but it’s growing. Here is a look at the state’s top 10 counties for Tesla registrations as of Jan. 30.
Harris 428
Travis 345
Dallas 313
Collin 123
Tarrant 111
Bexar 86
Denton 75
Fort Bend 67
Williamson 41
Montgomery 34
Total registered statewide: 1,800
Dealers Reach Out, but Tesla Slams the Door
- by Jim Malewitz and Bobby Blanchard
- Feb. 18, 2015
“If we were to go through them, we would fail,” he told Texas Tribune CEO and Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith last month during an interview at the Texas Transportation Forum.
The article also had some data on registrations I thought folks might find interesting...
How many Teslas are in Texas?
Tesla’s footprint is still relatively small in Texas, but it’s growing. Here is a look at the state’s top 10 counties for Tesla registrations as of Jan. 30.
Harris 428
Travis 345
Dallas 313
Collin 123
Tarrant 111
Bexar 86
Denton 75
Fort Bend 67
Williamson 41
Montgomery 34
Total registered statewide: 1,800
bollar
Disgruntled Member
I think those of you in Dallas County would want to let Representative Jason Villalba know how you feel. His district has the highest concentration of Models S in the State, but he won't support legislation that doesn't have Tesla give concessions to dealers.
Even more surprising as he was one of the cosponsors of Tesla's bill in 2013. The dealer lobby must have really gotten to him.
This article is disturbing as it is written from the perspective that dealers have a proprietary interest in how new car companies do business. If this article was written about any other industry besides the auto industry, it would be obvious how absurd the dealers' position is. Company A makes a new product. Company A wants to sell it without using the distribution channels and methods that its competitors use. Either Company A's strategy is successful or it is not. The market will decide. The existing distribution channel has no say in the matter, and neither should the state.
bollar
Disgruntled Member
Legislation has been introduced! HB 1653 / SB 639 Relating to the ownership or operation of a motor vehicle dealership
stephenpace
VIN S00219
Dealers are already cranking up their social media campaign against the bill:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/txautodealers/posts/339804809557614
Twitter: https://twitter.com/autodealerstx/status/568785198340419584
Please respond if you have a chance. If you want some example tweets, here are some I sent to the bill sponsors:
@EddieforTexas Thanks for submitting #HB1653 and for advocating that @TeslaMotors be able to sell an American product directly to Texans!
@LaubenbergTX Thanks for joint authoring #HB1653 and for advocating that @TeslaMotors be able to sell an American car directly to Texans!
@DocAnderson4TX Thanks for joint authoring #HB1653 and for advocating that @TeslaMotors be able to sell an American car directly to Texans!
@RonSimmonsTexas Thanks for joint authoring #HB1653 and for advocating that Tesla be able to sell an American product directly to Texans!
@KHancock4TX Thanks for submitting #SB639 and for advocating that @TeslaMotors be able to sell an American car directly to Texans!
Perhaps more important is looking up your local representatives and ask them to support these specific bills:
Who Represents Me in Texas - http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/Home.aspx
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/txautodealers/posts/339804809557614
Twitter: https://twitter.com/autodealerstx/status/568785198340419584
Please respond if you have a chance. If you want some example tweets, here are some I sent to the bill sponsors:
@EddieforTexas Thanks for submitting #HB1653 and for advocating that @TeslaMotors be able to sell an American product directly to Texans!
@LaubenbergTX Thanks for joint authoring #HB1653 and for advocating that @TeslaMotors be able to sell an American car directly to Texans!
@DocAnderson4TX Thanks for joint authoring #HB1653 and for advocating that @TeslaMotors be able to sell an American car directly to Texans!
@RonSimmonsTexas Thanks for joint authoring #HB1653 and for advocating that Tesla be able to sell an American product directly to Texans!
@KHancock4TX Thanks for submitting #SB639 and for advocating that @TeslaMotors be able to sell an American car directly to Texans!
Perhaps more important is looking up your local representatives and ask them to support these specific bills:
Who Represents Me in Texas - http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/Home.aspx
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bollar
Disgruntled Member
So sad they decided to lead with government handouts. My abbreviated comment on FB:
SW2Fiddler
We Are Cognitive Dissidents
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