Washington May Allow Direct EV Sales for Rivian and Lucid Under New Law

A bill in Washington may allow Rivian and Lucid to sell electric vehicles directly to consumers, putting them on par with Tesla.

A proposal in Washington is advancing in the Senate to allow Rivian and Lucid to sell electric vehicles directly to consumers, putting them on equal footing with Tesla, which has had the right to direct sales in the state since 2014.

What would change with Bill 6354

The bill, introduced on February 19 and approved by the Transportation Committee, establishes specific rules so that only qualified manufacturers can sell directly. If approved and signed into law, Rivian and Lucid would receive treatment similar to Tesla.

• Restricted Eligibility: a U.S.-based company that exclusively produces battery electric vehicles, with at least 300 vehicles registered in Washington by January 1st, that operates at least one service facility in the state, and that has never had a franchise agreement with an automotive dealership.
• Closing the Bypass: the law prevents large automakers from creating subsidiaries to circumvent the dealership model.

Proponents argue that the criteria limit eligibility, which could exclude low-cost Chinese models if they enter the North American market.

Why Rivian is Willing to Invest Millions

Rivian already allocated $4.5 million in January and committed to contributing up to an additional $20 million to a political committee created to advocate for a potential 2026 initiative. There are reports that the company could spend up to $50 million to secure approval via popular vote.

Supporters claim that following the legislative process closely is crucial to avoid a more expensive campaign regarding the future of direct EV sales in the state.

Who Qualifies and Who is Left Out

The text imposes strict criteria: only manufacturers that meet the above requirements can participate, indicating that established automakers would have difficulty qualifying without significant changes. This also suggests that cheaper Chinese vehicles would be excluded if they do not comply with the rules.

Opposition from Traditional Automakers

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation contests the proposal, arguing that all automakers should operate under the same rules. The group referenced the Tesla case and warned that new companies, even with state support, might seek entry into the American market.

Representative Amy Walen, Chair of the House Consumer Protection & Business Committee, stated she had not followed the bill in depth and affirmed that more robust consumer protection mechanisms would be necessary, as well as additional physical presence (more showrooms and service centers) to justify the direct sales model.

What Comes Next

If the bill advances in the Senate, it could go directly to the House Transportation Committee, potentially accelerating the legislative path and avoiding costly campaigns on the issue.

The future of direct sales in Washington will depend on the next step in the Legislature.

Reader Opinion: Do you believe that direct sales of electric vehicles bring more benefits to consumers or could it harm the dealership network? Leave your comment below and share your view.