Tesla Allowed To Sell Electric Cars In New Jersey

Electric car maker Tesla is free to sell electric cars in New Jersey after Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill overhauling the state's dealership laws.

The governor signed legislation allowing direct sales by manufacturers of zero-emission vehicles. However, according to the law, Tesla is required to maintain a service center in the state where consumers can have their cars fixed.

 "We are proud to tell New Jersey that we are open for business," said Diarmuid O'Connell, the company's vice president of corporate business development, in a statement.

Tesla has sold more than 600 Model S sedans in New Jersey, but the state's Motor Vehicle Commission voted unanimously in March 2014 to bar direct sales.

"I said last year that if the Legislature changed the law, I would sign new legislation put on my desk and that is exactly what I'm doing today," Gov Christie said. "We're pleased that manufacturers like Tesla will now have the opportunity to establish direct sales operations for consumers in a manner lawfully in New Jersey."

"Thanks to everyone that supported Tesla in New Jersey! We couldn't have done it without you," tweeted Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk.

Through its company Twitter account, Tesla called the new law "a huge victory in New Jersey for consumer choice" and thanked lawmakers for the change.

The company has already opened a service center in Paramus.