Illinois proposal restricts new EV manufacturers from selling directly to customers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — An Illinois legislator has proposed a bill that would prevent residents from buying an EV from companies that don’t use a auto dealer network.

Senate Bill 1939, introduced by Sen. Ram Villivallam (D-Chicago) would prevent future independent EV manufacturers from selling vehicles directly to customers, as both Tesla and Illinois-based Rivian do now.

Both Tesla and Rivian would be unaffected by the bill, which would prevent future manufacturers from following in their footsteps.

“We want to continue to support our auto dealers to do the work that they’re doing and do it even more, especially at a time where Tesla is doing terrible,” Villivallam

said on Tuesday.

Opponents of the bill said that throttling consumer choice in Illinois would send residents out of state to buy an EV, generate tax revenue in other states, and hurt the Illinois auto industry.

Gov. JB Pritzker set a goal of having 1 million EVs on Illinois roads by 2030, and introduced a Reimagining Electric Vehicles Act (later renamed the Reimagining Energy and Vehicles Act), which incentivized manufacturers to move to the state.

The state recently pledged $16 million to help EV maker Rivian open a $120 million supplier park near its headquarters in Normal.