Vermont residents can now rejoice as the first Tesla store in the state has officially opened in South Burlington. The store was initially expected to launch in the latter half of January; however, due to some delays, it opened in March.
Previously, Vermont’s approximately 3,000 Tesla drivers had to travel to Latham, New York, for service and repairs, while those interested in purchasing or leasing a new Tesla had to drive to New Jersey to avoid the hefty delivery charge. Both stores were a considerable distance from Vermont, but Tesla did offer mobile service to its Vermont residents.
Tesla Store and Service Center in South Burlington, Vermont. pic.twitter.com/qIebcGILS5
— S.E. Robinson, Jr. (@SERobinsonJr) December 22, 2023
However, with the opening of the South Burlington store, residents will no longer have to travel far for Tesla service and repairs. The new store is located in a former Hannaford Supermarket with a large Tesla sign displayed at the front. The store’s opening was made possible by Vermont state law, which was revised in 2021 to allow direct sales of electric vehicles (EVs) to customers, and South Burlington’s zoning change to allow car sales at the former supermarket site.
Tesla also opened a store at Mohegan Sun, a casino and resort in Connecticut, to serve as a workaround since the state bans direct car sales by car manufacturers. The store’s opening will also benefit New Hampshire residents, as there are no Tesla stores in the state.
Vermont ranks in the top 5 in the country for EV drivers per capita, and Drive Electric Vermont reported a 34% increase in plug-in electric vehicles registered in the state in July. Chittenden County, where South Burlington is located, has the highest rate of EV ownership, with approximately one EV for every 47 people. The opening of the Tesla store in the state is expected to attract new buyers and increase these numbers.
The opening of the Tesla store in Vermont is excellent news for New Englanders, particularly those in the state who have been waiting for a more convenient option for Tesla service and repairs.
