A Bill That Could Change Car Buying in Iowa
Rivian just backed a major shift in Iowa law.
Senate Study Bill 3067 would allow residents to buy electric vehicles directly from manufacturers. Today, Iowa blocks that option. As a result, customers must travel to other states just to test drive or order a Rivian.
Now, lawmakers are reconsidering. The bill has cleared a Senate subcommittee and moves to the full Commerce Committee next.
Momentum is building.
Why Iowans Currently Drive Across State Lines
Iowa enforces some of the strictest auto franchise laws in the country. These rules prevent manufacturers like Rivian from selling directly to consumers.
So buyers head to Missouri. Or Illinois. Sometimes Minnesota. They consult product experts there. They review pricing there. They complete purchases there.
That process adds cost and friction. It also limits consumer choice.
Meanwhile, Americans buy phones, appliances, and computers directly from manufacturers every day. Yet in Iowa, buying an EV works differently.
What Senate Bill 3067 Would Actually Do
The proposed legislation would open the door for companies without franchise dealer networks to sell directly in Iowa.
Importantly, it keeps protections for traditional auto dealers. Legacy automakers could not spin off new brands and suddenly bypass dealerships.
In other words, the bill expands choice without dismantling the existing system.
If customers prefer dealerships, nothing changes. However, if they want to buy straight from Rivian, they gain that freedom.
Rivian’s Bigger Picture
Rivian builds electric trucks, SUVs, and commercial vans in the United States. It focuses on software, advanced electrical architecture, and vertically integrated technology.
The company argues that direct sales improve transparency and simplify pricing. Supporters say the model supports innovation. Critics remain cautious.
Still, the debate centers on one core question: who should control the buying process?
If SSB 3067 passes, Iowa could join a growing list of states that embrace direct-to-consumer EV sales. And that decision may shape how the next generation buys cars.
