True dat. The sliminess (see potential committee end run) is just astounding, yet so often effective. A matrix (as a sticky post) with activity in each of the 50 states could be useful, with monitoring and updates from interested and/or designated parties. There are more owners and fans every week. Grass, meet roots.
The light of day and accountability will go a long way toward mitigating the malaise promulgated by these cockroaches. Busy little critters who work diligently in the shadows, if you prefer a less provocative term than lobbyist. I mean, cockroach.
Up next (I just want to get through Indiana first), with short summaries below. If any of these get you personally riled up, please start a thread similar to this one. I'll help. Otherwise I'll get on it later this week.:
Utah – while well-meaning, the legislators are introducing a bill that restricts Tesla unnecessarily. Tesla's view appears to be that existing law allows them to operate and that the regulatory agency got it wrong. Tesla is currently before the Utah Supreme Court re their license. Independent dealers were embarrassed when a small, Utah based autocycle company was barred from the Utah Auto Show after having paid fees and had their application to appear approved. The press went to town on the dealers and also raised the Tesla issue. Legislators are feeling the heat. Unfortunately, the bill fix is not only less-than-perfect, it restricts Tesla to online sales only and prohibits any inventory. It’s not a workable solution if Tesla is to open shop and grow. GM and the dealers are behind the restrictions and have been direct parties to the “negotiations.” So much for Utah’s free market and support of innovation themes!
Michigan – Tesla currently cannot even have a service facility there, much less sales. Rep. Aaron Miller has introduced a bill to open Michigan up to ALL manufacturers (those using dealers have a geographic restriction to protect existing dealers from unfair competition). This has gone over to the House Commerce Committee, which is chaired by Joe Graves, a former GM engineer (32 years with GM). He appears to have been pretty fair so far in giving Tesla the time to reach other committee members. As always, outreach to the Committee members is always helpful. GM can’t claim this is an uneven playing field as this bill would apply to all manufacturers, not just Tesla. But you know GM will fight hard here - it's their front yard.
Connecticut – Tesla is fighting to open this state up as well with a bill that is supported by the Senate Majority leader Bob Duff. Chairman Tony Guerrero and VC Carlo Leone seem to be supportive, but it's definitely not a done deal. The Connecticut Auto Dealers Association and GM are fighting full force on this one.
Massachusetts – without any warning and in contravention to the ZEV Commission’s voted recommendation, MA will impose a cap on MOR-EV state incentives on purchasers of a qualified alternative fueled vehicle. Rebates for cars costing more than $60,000 MSRP will be capped to $1,000 (versus $2,500). When reviewed by the ZEV Commission – an advisory panel established by the legislature consisting of stakeholders including dealers, manufacturers, environmentalists, and public interest groups, the Commission voted to study the issue more and whether an income means test was a better way to go. If the public policy goal is to not grant millionaires tax breaks, then an income means test is a better way to go versus a straight MSRP cap. A straight cap hurts those stretching to afford the only long-range EVs available today that can totally supplant a gas-powered vehicle (e.g., Tesla Model S and X). Millionaires still get to benefit from the MOR EV program, as they can simply by a BMW i3 or Nissan Leaf and still get the rebate. This only hurts Tesla and the adoption of long-range EVs – especially when independent study shows that 70% of Tesla buyers have never before purchased a car more than $60,000 ever. Pressure on the Governor’s office and the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs is needed here.
Ontario – similar to MA, Ontario is instituting an MSRP cap on cars over $75,000 CDN. Cars at that level are only allowed a $3,000 rebate versus a possible $14,000 otherwise. Cars over $150,000 CDN receive zero rebate. Again, an income means test is the smarter way to go if this is really about not subsidizing high income buyers. The Minister of Economic Development and the Minister of Environment are leaning towards us. The Minister of Transportation is pushing back. Owners can also pressure Premiere’s office as well.
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@tao - good idea on the matrix. I'll ask doug for a wiki where we can link all this stuff together. Then people can choose to fight in an individual state, but we won't lose track of the big slimy picture. Give me a couple hours, just have a couple things I need to get done here first.