Lawmakers in New York are pushing to close Tesla’s in-state dealerships, marking another challenge for CEO Elon Musk. State Senator Patricia Fahy and others are advocating for the removal of a waiver that permits Tesla to operate five physical dealerships in New York. Instead, they propose Tesla sell its vehicles through franchised dealers. Fahy stated in March that “no matter what we do, we’ve got to take this from Elon Musk.” She argues Musk is part of an administration reversing progress on climate change initiatives. Fahy previously supported Tesla’s in-person dealerships due to their potential to boost EV sales and reduce emissions. However, her stance shifted after Musk aligned with former President Trump in 2025. Musk criticized Fahy’s efforts in a deleted social media post, calling it “improper targeting of a single person or company.” Protests against Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency have grown, with incidents of vandalism against Tesla dealerships reported. The bill is under review by Senate and Assembly finance committees, awaiting further action after a budget agreement. Governor Kathy Hochul’s spokesperson noted she would review the bill if it passes both chambers.
— new from The Daily Beast
