Rivian (NASDAQ:RIVN) is seen to be better placed than its rivals, thanks in part to a joint venture with German automaker Volkswagen (ETR:VOWG_p) Group, which in November raised its funding amount to $5.8 billion to develop electric vehicles and architecture.

The Tesla showroom at University Village in Seattle. (GeekWire Photo / Lisa Stiffler)Tesla could soon lose its electric vehicle sales advantage as Washington state lawmakers are taking their third shot at legislation that would give Rivian, Lucid and others the right to offer test drives and sell their vehicles directly to consumers.Tesla is the sole manufacturer in Washington with that marketing deal — all other carmakers must sell through franchise dealerships.The proposal comes as Tesla founder Elon Musk has taken a highly controversial leadership role in the Trump administration and become increasingly polarizing. Some Tesla drivers are slapping “I Bought This Before We Knew Elon Was Crazy” bumper stickers on their vehicles, and a fraction of drivers internationally say they are selling or thinking of selling their Teslas because of Musk.The EV sector in general is facing a slate of challenges as President Trump is unraveling policies supporting the shift from climate-warming combustion vehicles to EVs.Today the Senate Committee on Labor Commerce is scheduled to hear testimony on SB 5592, a measure with both Democratic and Republican sponsors. The law would:. Allow zero-emissions vehicles to be sold directly to consumers provided the automaker establishes at least two service centers in the state and offers mobile vehicle servicing.Allow online direct sales of the vehicles, with delivery through a designated service center, delivery center or a partnership dealer.Require vehicle warranties and options for repairs.Require the Washington State Department of Commerce to create a program for training technicians in zero-emission vehicle repairs and to assist traditional auto dealers in the shift to EV sales. The House has a companion bill, HB 1721, which also has bipartisan support.Backers of the effort have formed a group called the Washington Clean Car Choice Coalition