Menu
Outdated laws in Pennsylvania are standing in the way of consumers and businesses’ freedom to buy the vehicles of their choice. These restrictions on car and truck buyers are obstructing economic growth and blocking Pennsylvanians’ access to the latest automotive technologies. Pennsylvania’s leaders need to update these laws so that consumers don’t face unnecessary obstacles when purchasing a vehicle.
Under Pennsylvania law, consumers and businesses cannot buy a new vehicle straight from a manufacturer—whether that’s an SUV or a car, or a bus that is purchased by a city or a school district. Instead, customers must buy new vehicles and get them serviced through a franchised car dealership, which is a third-party company.
If you want to buy a Ford truck or have warranty services or repairs performed on that truck, you must go to a Ford dealership owned by a third-party company. Vehicle manufacturers are not allowed to own retail locations that offer vehicle sales and maintenance services.
This issue is coming to a head because there are new car manufacturers emerging that offer vehicles directly to consumers and businesses, without using the old system of franchised dealerships for sales and service. Consumers and businesses in many other states have access to these vehicles, but Pennsylvanians are forced to travel to other states if they want to purchase vehicles from these companies. And if they do purchase one, they must leave the state again to receive maintenance service from the manufacturer.
Most of the vehicle manufacturers that have emerged recently have been companies that make electric vehicles (EV). An EV has batteries instead of a gasoline tank, and an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine. These vehicles plug in to refuel rather than using gasoline or diesel fuel.
They have far fewer moving parts than gasoline or diesel vehicles. As a result, they require far less maintenance. For example, EVs never need oil changes, spark plug replacements, or emissions checks.
44% of all electric vehicles sold in the United States have been sold directly from the manufacturer to the consumer or business, according to data from Atlas Public Policy. Tesla first started opening showrooms for people to see, test drive, and purchase EVs directly, rather than through a franchised dealership. Most other EV only manufacturers have followed suit. However, in 18 states, laws forbid any automaker from opening a store and giving consumers and businesses the freedom to buy directly from them. Another nine states, including Pennsylvania, allow only one automaker, Tesla, to open retail stores and sell directly to state residents. But customers in these nine states cannot purchase vehicles from any other new EV-only manufacturers, such as Aptera, Arrival, Lucid, Rivian, or VinFast.
Pennsylvania is home to Mack Trucks’ LR Electric assembly facility, which cannot sell directly to businesses and local governments in Pennsylvania that might be interested in purchasing this vehicle to help lower their fuel costs or reduce emissions.
Vehicles are one of the only products that face this outdated restriction on consumer choice. If you want to buy an iPhone, you can go to Best Buy or you can buy it directly at the Apple Store, where you can also get service from an Apple expert. The Pennsylvania government should not force consumers or businesses to go through a third party.
Many of the laws related to car dealerships were enacted in the 1940s to protect dealers at a time when there were just three big automakers. Today, we have dozens of car makers from all over the world and new ways of buying cars through online sales services like Carvana and CarGurus. Our laws need to catch up with these new realities. Direct-to-consumer sales and dealerships can coexist. In the 32 states that allow customers the freedom to buy, auto dealerships and EV showroom sales are both thriving. In fact, traditional automobile sales and dealer revenues have increased nationwide since 2012, when Tesla began pioneering the direct-sales model. Since emerging from the pandemic, dealerships are seeing record profits.
Compared to gasoline vehicles, EVs are a new and different product, and consumers have lots of questions about them before they decide to buy. That requires an employee to spend more time talking to a customer. New EV manufacturers offer a standard product at a set price, with no commissioned salespeople, unlike at franchised dealerships. This ensures customers—whether an average consumer or a fleet operator—do not feel pressured when they start exploring this new technology.
EVs are not vulnerable to rising gas prices at the pump due to global oil shocks. They also require very little maintenance, saving consumers money over the life of the vehicle. Pennsylvania should NOT limit the ability of its residents, businesses, and local governments to shop for, purchase, and maintain electric trucks, buses, and cars, especially when fuel prices are so high.
Allowing drivers and fleet operators the freedom to buy from manufacturers would not cost the state or its taxpayers a dime. In fact, it could save cities, counties, and school districts money as they transition to electric buses and other EVs to reduce fuel costs.
Allowing drivers and fleet operators to buy from the manufacturer would help Pennsylvania’s economy by ensuring that showrooms are built and sales and service occur here in the Commonwealth, rather than in neighboring states like New York, New Jersey, and Maryland. Even some traditional car makers are considering adding a direct-to-consumer option, rather than working only with franchised dealers. Prohibiting direct-to-consumer sales prevents vehicle manufacturers from investing in the state.
EVs are not vulnerable to rising gas prices at the pump due to global oil shocks. They also require very little maintenance, saving consumers money over the life of the vehicle. Pennsylvania should NOT limit the ability of its residents, businesses, and local governments to shop for, purchase, and maintain electric trucks, buses, and cars, especially when fuel prices are so high.
Allowing drivers and fleet operators the freedom to buy from manufacturers would not cost the state or its taxpayers a dime. In fact, it could save cities, counties, and school districts money as they transition to electric buses and other EVs to reduce fuel costs.
Allowing drivers and fleet operators to buy from the manufacturer would help Pennsylvania’s economy by ensuring that showrooms are built and sales and service occur here in the Commonwealth, rather than in neighboring states like New York, New Jersey, and Maryland. Even some traditional car makers are considering adding a direct-to-consumer option, rather than working only with franchised dealers. Prohibiting direct-to-consumer sales prevents vehicle manufacturers from investing in the state.
Contact your state legislators to let them know you think consumers and businesses have a right to shop for and purchase vehicles without being forced to go through a third party.
© 2024 ELECTRIFICATION COALITION
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive information about projects, policy developments, electrification news, market insights, and more.
Amy Malaki is the Director of Partnerships and Policy at SkyNRG and SkyNRG Americas, pioneering global leaders in sustainable aviation fuel production and supply. Prior to SkyNRG, Amy was the Associate Director for the transportation portfolio at the ClimateWorks Foundation where she developed philanthropic investment strategies to advance a sustainable, equitable and low-carbon mobility system. She also pioneered the organization’s international aviation decarbonization strategy. Prior to that she focused on Asia business development at Better Place, a Silicon Valley electric vehicle network startup. She has a B.A. in Chinese and China studies from the University of Washington and an M.A. in international policy studies (energy and environment) from Stanford University.