Tesla is at risk of being pushed out of Oklahoma due to the bill SB512, which would effectively ban direct sales of vehicles to customers.
Oklahoma’s SB512, dubbed the “Hometown Auto jobs Act of 2022,” could push Tesla out of the state entirely as expressed by concerned drivers of the brand, according to KFOR Oklahoma.
Supporters of the bill say SB512 addresses issues between franchised dealers and legacy manufacturers, though it would also force Tesla to close an existing service center in Oklahoma, among other things.
The bill would also ban software updates on vehicles, a move that’s hard to fathom as the entire auto industry shifts to model Tesla’s over-the-air (OTA) update model which improves the car every so often.
Panasonic Reportedly Eyeing Tesla Battery Factory in Oklahoma or Kansas, Claims Report https://t.co/78MMgVKaWu
— TeslaNorth.com (@RealTeslaNorth) March 4, 2022
One Oklahoma City Tesla owner, Chad Williamson, joined with hundreds of others vocally opposing the legislation, saying that the technology should be embraced, not opposed.
In a statement, Williamson said, “We should be embracing technology and not fighting against it.” Williamson continued, “If I want to go on the Internet and buy a Tesla and have it serviced here and get my Wi-Fi updates to the car, I should be able to do that.”
Last month, Tesla shared a reiterated call to action for voters and fans to oppose the Oklahoma legislation, encouraging drivers to reach out to their state representatives.
You can contact Oklahoma’s state representatives through Tesla’s website here.
