South Carolina granted Scout Motors $1.3 billion in incentives to build its $2 billion EV plant, but residents cant buy the cars.

A House Labor, Commerce and Industry panel adjourned debate on the bill, effectively putting a pause on the legislation that would allow electric vehicle makers such as Rivian, Scout Motors and Tesla to sell directly to consumers in South Carolina without using franchise dealerships.

Now, Scout wants to change that practice nationwide, starting with its home state of South Carolina. Lawmakers presented a bill in the South Carolina General Assembly proposing an amendment allowing direct-to-consumer sales for automakers.

A bill that would have allowed electric vehicle manufacturers to sell directly to consumers in South Carolina has stalled in the legislature

Scout Motors' bid to sell vehicles directly to consumers faces stiff headwinds in the South Carolina House of Representatives amid pushback from auto dealers.

A South Carolina bill that would have allowed electric vehicle manufacturers to sell directly to consumers has stalled in the legislature

A South Carolina bill that would allow Scout Motors, Tesla and other electric vehicle brands to sell directly to consumers appears to have stalled after a committee adjourned debate on it.

Plenty of potential car buyers would love to shop for a new vehicle online without needing to stop at a dealership, and automakers have not been shy about their desire to provide that service, but local and federal dealer franchise laws in the U.