A bill for an act authorizing certain manufacturers of battery electric motor vehicles to be licensed as motor vehicle dealers.

This bill allows manufacturers of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) - defined as vehicles powered solely by batteries without combustion engines - to operate their own dealerships for their own vehicles. It permits these manufacturers to own, operate, or control up to five dealerships and manage related services like financing, maintenance, or leasing for their BEVs. However, it does not apply if the manufacturer or a related entity (e.g., through shared ownership) previously had a franchise agreement with a dealer in Iowa. The change modifies Iowa’s existing law, which generally prohibits vehicle manufacturers from being licensed as dealers, specifically for BEVs to address unique market dynamics.