Chris Christie signs bill into law allowing direct sale of Tesla cars in New Jersey

Gov. Chris Christie has signed a measure that would allow the sale of Tesla and other zero-emission cars in New Jersey.

Christie signed the bill Wednesday. The new law comes about a year after the state Motor Vehicle Commission issued regulations requiring cars to be sold through franchises.

Tesla markets its vehicles directly to consumers.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk protested the regulations last year. He said the company chose not to sell through franchises because most of their revenue comes from gasoline-powered cars leaving little incentive to sell electric vehicles.

The legislation also requires companies selling cars directly to consumers to maintain a servicing facility and to report sales figures to the state.