Tesla is partnering with the Oneida Indian Nation in New York State to get around another law that prohibits direct electric vehicle (EV) sales. Tesla has partnered with Indian nations in other states to get around the antiquated laws that only allow vehicle sales through licensed dealerships.
In the case of New York, the law that prohibits direct sales is not that old. New York State allowed direct sales until 2014, but that changed when a law was passed to stop Tesla from expanding beyond its five locations in Smithtown, Manhasset, Westchester County, and New York City. The automaker has been working to get rid of the law and expand beyond their 5 locations for years, but have so far been unsuccessful in their attempts.
After nearly a decade of frustration, Tesla has taken a different approach and partnered with the Oneida Indian Nation to develop the automaker’s first new Sales, Service, and Delivery center in the region. The new 25,000 square foot facility will be located on Oneida Indian Nation homelands just off Exit 34 on the New York State Thruway, and is expected to open in 2025.
We’re excited to announce an exclusive partnership between the Oneida Indian Nation and @Tesla. Together, we’ll be developing Tesla’s first showroom on Nation lands, located near Exit 34 on the New York State Thruway (expected to open by 2025). pic.twitter.com/5rfpbdiNiJ
— Oneida Indian Nation (@OneidaNatnNews) June 6, 2023
Along with the new showroom, Tesla and Oneida are also working together to expand EV charging infrastructure in the region.
“Oneida and Tesla have agreed to add 16 additional Tesla Superchargers at two locations in the Oneida homelands in Verona. Tesla is also partnering with Oneida to install more than 120 Level 2 chargers across the Oneida homelands, including 12 each at the community center, administrative offices, and the elder center, as well as chargers dedicated to tribal residences. All of this is in addition to the 12 Tesla Superchargers already located at Turning Stone Resort Casino.”
As we reported last week, Tesla opened their second showroom in New Mexico, another state that does not allow direct EV sales to consumers.
Tesla gets around New Mexico’s direct sales ban again and opens second showroom on tribal land
