Iowa Senate Bill 3067 Could Allow Direct EV Sales

Rivian supports Iowa Senate Study Bill 3067, a proposal that would let EV makers sell directly to consumers while preserving dealer protections. Learn more.

Rivian has welcomed the introduction of Iowa Senate Study Bill 3067 (SSB 3067), a proposal that would allow residents of the state to purchase electric vehicles directly from manufacturers. Iowa is currently considered one of the most restrictive states in the country when it comes to vehicle purchasing laws, with rules that effectively block direct-to-consumer sales and preserve a dealer-centered system.

According to Rivian, these limitations place a real burden on customers. Iowans who want to buy a Rivian vehicle are often forced to travel out of state—frequently to Missouri, Illinois, or Minnesota—to test drive the vehicle, speak with Rivian product experts, and explore pricing. The company argues that this extra hurdle limits consumer choice and makes it harder for innovative EV manufacturers to compete on equal footing.

SSB 3067 has already moved out of an Iowa Senate subcommittee and is now heading to the full Senate Commerce Committee for further consideration. Rivian says the bill is not designed to disrupt Iowa’s traditional dealer network and would not change anything for consumers who prefer to purchase vehicles through dealerships.

At the same time, the legislation includes provisions aimed at strengthening existing protections for dealers. The text of the bill allows only battery electric vehicle manufacturers without an existing franchise network in Iowa to sell directly, and it also sets a limit of no more than five dealer locations under this model. In addition, the proposal contains safeguards intended to prevent legacy automakers from creating new brands to bypass franchise rules and shift to direct sales.

Rivian Senior Public Policy Manager Aubrey Coleman said the company supports the measure because it reflects how consumers already buy many products today—directly from manufacturers—while improving pricing transparency and convenience. Rivian believes SSB 3067 could help Iowa modernize its vehicle sales framework and open the market to manufacturers that operate without traditional dealer networks.

If adopted, the bill could position Iowa among the states moving toward more flexible EV purchasing options. With demand for electric vehicles continuing to grow, the outcome of SSB 3067 may also serve as a signal for how other restrictive markets could evolve in the years ahead.