Iowa curbs Tesla test drives

[Recursion]

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/companies/2014/09/25/tesla-test-drives-iowa-dot-west-des-moines-laws-illegal/16192477/

Tesla Motors is the hottest name in the growing electric car market. But don't plan on taking the Model S for a test drive in Iowa anytime soon.

Iowa joined a growing list of states tussling with Tesla Motors' business model when it told the company to cut short three days of test drives earlier this month in West Des Moines.

The Iowa Department of Transportation said the test drives were illegal for two reasons: Tesla isn't licensed as an auto dealer in Iowa and state law prohibits carmakers from selling directly to the public.

Founded by billionaire inventor Elon Musk, Tesla Motors produces what is widely considered the premier electric car because of its battery life and horsepower.

And regulatory capture rears its ugly head again...

[customerserviceguy]

1. Electric cars are bad

for the ethanol business, doncha know!

[Control-Z]

3. Yes. This. (nt)

[Retrograde]

4. Maybe the Iowa legistature can require

that all Teslas be sold with a trunk-full of corn!

[dballance]

2. So Glad We're in Favor of Small Gov't That Doesn't Hinder the Small Business

Talk about such total BS. Every state that has tried to limit Tesla or limited Tesla is one of those states where their legislators are so in favor of the government not heavily regulating business.

HYPOCRITICAL ASSES!

[Recursion]

8. Vermont? Maryland? New Jersey? Connecticut? Rhode Island?

We do it too.

[Downwinder]

9. Free marketeers operating in restraint of trade.

[Nye Bevan]

5. There are good reasons why all auto sales should be required to go through licensed dealerships.

How else can car buyers be pressured into buying rustproofing, extended warranties, and VIN etching on the windows?

[Tikki]

6. I live in So Cal, I see them in town and on the road more and more. I parked next to a Tesla the...

other day. They are beautiful, I looked it over admiringly and I realized they are just a car.
There was a bottle of water in the console cup holder and a child's booster seat in the back seat.

They are a way forward, a real way forward. They are expensive, not as expensive as some cars I see
on the freeways around here. I salute those who are trying to find a way forward.


Tikki

[tritsofme]

7. Dealers are worthless middleman that add no value to the process.

I applaud anything that hastens their demise.