Tesla electric vehicle showroom has soft opening at Shops at Mohegan Sun

The Tesla Electric Vehicle Showroom in the Shops at Mohegan Sun has had its soft opening this week and sales and demo drives are now available to guests, according to Mohegan Sun.

The casino said that, during the week of Dec. 18, Mohegan Sun and Tesla will hold a special Grand Opening ribbon cutting event.

“The Tesla EV Showroom + Sales & Delivery Center arriving at Mohegan Sun is the first-of-its-kind in Connecticut, as Mohegan is a sovereign nation with its own laws and governing services,” said Cody Chapman, director of public relations for Mohegan Sun.

Mohegan Sun announced in July that Tesla planned to open a “Sales & Delivery Center” at the casino’s mall before the end of this year. At the location, the expectation was for patrons to be able to buy or pick up new Tesla vehicles at the store, or take the cars for a test drive around the resort grounds, according to a July statement. The storefront was to be placed across from chef Todd English’s restaurant, Tuscany, the casino said at the time.

Electric vehicle maker Tesla has been selling its cars to eager U.S. consumers since 2008.

But Connecticut state is one of more than a dozen that ban automobile manufacturers from selling directly to consumers, requiring instead that new cars be purchased through a licensed dealership. Tesla sells all of its new vehicles directly to consumers, primarily via online ordering, and delivers them through a network of storefronts in states that allow the company’s direct-sales model, the CT Mirror reported.

“We’re really excited about this new Tesla EV Showroom opening this fall at Mohegan Sun,” said Jeff  Hamilton, president & General Manager of Mohegan Sun said in July. “This endeavor with Tesla marks an   electrifying milestone in Mohegan Sun’s commitment to fostering impactful relationships, promoting   environmental sustainability and offering cutting-edge experiences for our millions of annual guests,  each of which are core goals of Mohegan Sun and the Mohegan Tribe.”

Connecticut has had debates over the future of electric cars in the state for months.

After proposed new regulations were derailed, Gov. Ned Lamont and the state legislature are now shining a spotlight on electric vehicles as they plot the future path for the state in a fast-moving industry that is already being driven by market forces.

In the coming weeks and months, lawmakers will flesh out the details of a plan as they intend to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and smooth the transition away from gasoline-powered cars

CT has an electric car problem. Here’s what’s driving delays, debate and new economic inequality.