Rivian Backs Ballot to Break Tesla's Washington Sales Monopoly

Washington state residents might get to reshape how they buy electric cars, thanks to a major push from EV maker Rivian to level the playing field with Tesla.

For over a decade, Tesla has been the only electric vehicle manufacturer allowed to sell directly to consumers in Washington state. Everyone else, including Rivian and luxury brand Lucid, must go through traditional dealerships even though they have showrooms in the state.

Rivian is changing that conversation by putting $4.6 million behind a ballot initiative for November 2026. The Washington Coalition for Consumer Choice and Innovation aims to give voters the power to open up direct sales to all EV makers, not just one.

The coalition has hired Winner & Mandabach Campaigns, a California firm with a 90% success rate on ballot measures. They need to collect at least 308,911 voter signatures by early July to qualify for the ballot.

Lawmakers have tried to fix this imbalance before. Last year, a coalition of environmental and business groups pushed legislation that would have allowed companies like Rivian and Lucid to sell directly, arguing it would speed up EV adoption and help Washington meet its carbon reduction goals.

Car dealerships opposed the effort, worried about losing business. The bill stalled in committee, though ethics investigators found no wrongdoing when questions arose about the committee chair owning dealerships.

The Ripple Effect

Opening up direct sales could accelerate Washington's transition to cleaner transportation. When consumers have more options to buy electric vehicles the way they want, adoption typically increases, bringing the state closer to its environmental targets while giving shoppers more freedom.

The move also signals a broader shift in how Americans might buy cars in the future. If Washington voters approve the measure, it could inspire similar campaigns in other states where Tesla holds the same exclusive advantage.

With nearly two years until the vote, Washington residents will have plenty of time to consider whether all EV makers deserve the same opportunity Tesla has enjoyed for more than a decade.