By Paula Sardinas, Founder and CEO of the WBBA (WA Build Back Black Alliance)
The vibrant landscape of Washington’s electric vehicle (EV) market sparks a crucial debate — direct sales versus traditional dealerships. This discourse isn’t merely about cars, it’s about leveling the playing field for consumers, ensuring environmental justice, and promoting equitable access to cleaner transportation.
As the wheels of progress turn towards widespread EV adoption in Washington, the urgency to democratize access becomes glaringly apparent. Bridging affordability gaps and modernizing purchase avenues stand as formidable challenges that demand innovative policy interventions. To truly usher in a cleaner, fairer automotive era, prioritizing equity in direct EV sales is the navigational compass steering us towards a more inclusive future.
For underserved communities, the primary hurdle is access. The current dialogue around EVs spotlights a gaping affordability divide, hindering equal access to sustainable transport regardless of socioeconomic status. The current vehicle purchasing model in Washington fails to uphold equity. The archaic dealership system places profits above people and sound public policy. According to a recent Washington Post article, the CEO of the National Automobile Dealers Association emphasized the reluctance of dealerships to adapt to EVs, asserting their desire to remain gatekeepers, potentially passing costs to consumers.
If Washington aims to lead on climate policy with an equitable stance, embracing innovation becomes imperative. Companies like Lucid and Rivian deserve an equal footing, enjoying consumer protections and market opportunities akin to vehicles powered by fossil fuels and Tesla. Pioneering policy adaptations are essential, aligning an equitable purchasing process with evolving consumer expectations.
Equity is for everyone, not just those with the most expensive lobbyists. Advocating for direct EV sales necessitates robust consumer protections in harmony with equity. Safeguarding consumer rights in this evolving market is non-negotiable. Policies must evolve to ensure a seamless, fair purchasing experience, prioritizing accessibility, affordability, and consumer rights.
Incentives directly aimed at direct-buy dealerships should be accessible across all income tiers. This guarantees that our minority business owners can transition their MHD fleets toward decarbonization, provides ownership options for low to moderate-income individuals in Washington, and offers a measure of relief for our middle-class residents grappling with skyrocketing gas prices.
In steering Washington’s EV sales future, centering equity in direct sales should underpin every policy decision. A cleaner transportation landscape demands action from policymakers and stakeholders. Prioritizing equity in direct EV sales isn’t just a choice, it’s the only way to create a more sustainable, and fair, automotive future.
Let’s ignite this debate, embrace innovation, and accelerate towards a future where every Washingtonian, regardless of their background, can seamlessly join the electric vehicle revolution.
Paula Sardinas is president and CEO of FMS Global Strategies, a Black-owned public affairs and government relations firm, and one of the fastest growing firms in WA state. She’s also the founder of the Washington Build Back Black Alliance.
