Mississippi governor signs legislation restricting electric car stores

FAN Editor

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves signed legislation on Tuesday restricting electric car manufacturers from selling vehicles in person unless they open franchised dealerships. 

Reeves enacted House Bill 401 into law, which was introduced by Republican Rep. Trey Lamar, despite calls from some fellow GOP members to veto it. 

The law will force electric car companies to sell vehicles through franchises, instead of company-owned stores. 

“Almost 200 small businesses in communities across our state are seeking assurances that big manufacturers can’t just destroy their businesses. That’s fair!” the governor said in a statement posted to social media. 

BIDEN ADMIN ANNOUNCES $2.5B IN GRANTS FOR EV CHARGERS

“I also recognize that innovation in this industry is inevitable. And with innovation comes new companies with new business models. I am committed to find long-term solutions – in an ever changing market,” he said. 

The bill does not impact the sale of electric cars, as people can buy them online. 

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

If a resident wants to make a purchase in person, they would have to drive to the state’s only Tesla store in Brandon. 

The bill passed in a bipartisan 39-13 vote earlier this month, with some in the party hoping Reeves would veto the legislation

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS

“In today’s world, if you don’t innovate, you lose out. We as a state cannot afford to lose out,” Sen. Brice Wiggins told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “My vote against the bill was a vote for capitalism, competition and innovation rather than for a policy of protectionism.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Free America Network Articles

Leave a Reply

Next Post

Egg prices still up 55% over last year despite slight reduction in February

While consumer egg prices saw a slight pullback in February, they continue to be significantly up from a year ago, according to the latest consumer price index (CPI) data Tuesday. In the CPI data, egg prices in February posted a 55% increase in the one-year span from the same month […]