Tesla Seeks Approval To Expand Electric Car Sales In State

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Tesla officials, owners of the company's electric cars and people who are on a waiting list to buy one are pushing the state Legislature to allow Elon Musk's corporation to expand in New York.

State law requires car manufacturers to sell through franchises. But a state law passed in 2014 allows California-based Tesla five direct-to-consumer sales offices in New York, all of them in the New York City metro area.

Under legislation sponsored by Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle, D-Rochester, and Sen. George, R-Rotterdam, Tesla would be allowed to expand to 20 stores. Five would be located in the upstate region's most populated areas.

Tesla says expanding in New York would make its zero-emissions vehicles more widely available and help reduce air pollution.

Auto dealership associations oppose the proposal.