Tesla Store Grand Opening at Mohegan Sun

Photo above – Mohegan Sun President Jeff Hamilton cuts the ribbon in front of the Tesla store

Tesla Store Opens on Tribal Land

It has been a long time coming. Finally, Connecticut consumers have a place to go to buy a Tesla and, importantly, take delivery without leaving the state. The new Tesla store at Mohegan Sun is open for business and delivered its first vehicles today. This will help alleviate the crush many of us have experienced at the Mt. Kisco, NY delivery center that we have been forced to go to in order to get our vehicles. It also simplifies the registration process – no more temporary plates.

All deliveries for CT will be at Mohegan Sun. It is a longer distance for residents of the western portion of CT than MK.

The center will have a sales staff and offer test drives, aside from making deliveries.

Federally recognized tribes have sovereignty and the state franchise laws do not apply. These laws have thus far prevented Tesla and other EV manufacturers (Rivian, Lucid, and Fisker with more on the horizon) using the direct sales model from opening stores in CT. The tribe makes its own laws.

The Tesla store will be open 7 days a week.

Tesla has a service and leasing center in Milford, CT. Consumers are able to take test drives there as well.

Who Didn’t Show? Elected officials.

Several elected officials, including the governor, were invited to the ribbon cutting. None came. Like Tesla opening a CT store, this is another historic first. Since when do pols not show up for a ribbon cutting? (Governor Lamont did issue a statement that called the center good news for consumers.) This illustrates how divisive the direct sales issue is – in Hartford. Among consumers, the issue polls 80 – 90% favorable.

75 Destination Chargers, Going to 100+

Mohegan Sun reports that sustainability initiatives are a major part of its commitment to economic growth, tourism and community support. Jeff Hamilton, GM of Mohegan Sun, who described sustainability as part of the tribal cultural heritage, announced that its collaboration with Tesla includes the installation of Tesla destination chargers, which will be in all 3 parking garages and number 75 in total when the installation is complete in the late summer of 2024. Future plans call for an expansion to over 100.

A Big Day But Only A First Step

Lori Brown of CTLCV                 Zach Kahn of Tesla

Lori Brown, the Executive Director of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, noted that today’s event is a win for the environment but that given the climate crisis, we cannot act fast enough. Speaking of direct sales, she noted that “we need to adopt and harmonize laws to get there.”

Zach Kahn, Tesla Senior Policy Manager, East Region, noted the importance of how this facility contributes to sustainable development in eastern Connecticut. He also noted that the state is not nearly on pace to meet its stated goal for EV adoption. (The EV Club agrees with him on this point. The state’s target is for 500,000 registered EVs by 2030 and we only have 36,269 now.)

Tesla and Mohegan Sun also noted their tribal workforce development initiative with Tesla jobs in the offing, an important, if sometimes overlooked, benefit.

EV Club in front of the new Tesla Store. From left to right – Paul Braren, Will Cross, Phil Levieff, Bruce Becker, Barry Kresch, Demetrios Spantidos, and Lori Brown of CTLCV

It was a good day! The EV Club was glad to be a part of it.