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Lawmakers consider compromise to allow limited direct EV sales and split higher documentary fee for rebates
Summary
Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6354 would let qualifying new electric‑vehicle manufacturers obtain dealer licenses for in‑state sales and service, raise the negotiable documentary service fee from $200 to $250 temporarily with a later scheduled reduction, and direct part of the increase to instant EV rebates and multimodal accounts; the bill drew support from EV makers, climate groups and some dealers and opposition from legacy automakers and dealer advocates demanding additional consumer protections.
Mark Mattson, staff to the committee, described Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6354 as a three‑part compromise: (1) strengthen prohibitions that prevent manufacturers from competing with their franchise dealers, (2) allow a limited exemption permitting qualifying new‑market EV manufacturers to obtain vehicle dealer licenses if they meet specified criteria, and (3) modestly increase the negotiable documentary service fee with a statutorily required split to fund EV rebates and multimodal transportation accounts.
Under staff's summary, a qualifying manufacturer must be incorporated in the United States, have never entered into a franchise agreement with a dealer, have operated at least one service facility in Washington as of Jan. 1, 2026, and have at least 300 battery electric vehicles registered in the state before the effective date. A manufacturer…
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