Governor Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 6354 on March 24, 2026. The measure takes effect on June 11, 2026, the legislature stated.
The law permits qualifying manufacturers to own, operate or control dealerships that sell their own battery electric vehicles directly to buyers in the state, the bill summary said.
Manufacturers must meet several criteria, including being incorporated in the United States, producing only battery electric vehicles, never having entered into franchise agreements with dealers, operating at least one service facility in Washington as of January 1, 2026, and having at least 300 of their vehicles registered in the state before that date, according to the House bill report.
The legislation allows Rivian and Lucid Motors to join Tesla, which has sold vehicles directly in Washington since 2014 under a prior exception, in offering direct sales at their showrooms, state lawmakers and reporting on the bill indicated.
Sen. Marko Liias, the bill’s sponsor, stated that the measure gives Washingtonians more choices when buying an electric vehicle while ensuring local dealers can continue operating, according to a Senate Democrats announcement.
Independent research cited in legislative materials estimates that allowing direct sales could increase zero-emission vehicle adoption by as much as 13 percent by 2030.
The law also increases the certificate of title application fee from $15 to $40 for vehicle purchases and leases facilitated by dealers, starting October 1, 2026. A portion of the additional revenue will fund instant rebates to help reduce costs for lower-income buyers of electric vehicles, the bill report said.
Washington has been expanding support for electric vehicles as part of its transportation electrification efforts.
The Department of Licensing will handle dealer license applications for qualifying manufacturers under the new provisions.
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