MILFORD, CT — Tesla still can't directly sell to customers out of its Milford location, but they have officially kicked off leasing in the Nutmeg State. Tesla officials, electric vehicle advocates and state officials celebrated the start of the program Tuesday.

For years the company and other advocates have tried to allow direct sales to consumers out of Connecticut locations, but state legislators haven't passed any change in the law that requires third-party dealerships for consumer sales. Car dealerships have argued the practice would be unfair and that franchising drives competition and sales. "It's time for Connecticut to make it easier for consumers to purchase, not just lease, clean-driving cars, including by opening our doors to electric vehicle manufacturers like Tesla who sell directly to consumers," said Bruce Becker, president of the Connecticut EV Club.

Mayor Ben Blake said the city is proud to be home to Tesla's service center and that the leasing program would be a good thing for the city. Milford has more residential photovoltaic solar panel installations than any other municipality in the state, he said. "We really do work hard to make sure we bring in businesses that are good community partners," Blake said. "We are proud that Tesla's service center is here in Milford."

Milford has public charging stations at the Parsons government center, train station and public library plus a network of private charging stations like the Tesla Superchargers located at the Connecticut Post Mall and the I-95 rest stops. Those interested in a Tesla lease can take a test drive at the company's Milford location. Local Tesla representatives are only allowed to talk about leasing options and not purchasing options.

Leasing is being offered for the Model S, Model 3 and Model X for 36 months with the option of 10,000, 12,000 or 15,000 miles per year. A Tesla official said that the Model S and Model X will be available to purchase after a lease term is complete, but the Model 3 won't be eligible for purchase.

Connecticut residents who want to purchase a Tesla can do so online at the company's website or at the company's nearby locations in Mt. Kisco, NY or Massachusetts.

Tesla vehicles account for 72 percent of all pure electric EV sales in Connecticut and about 38 percent of the entire EV market, said Vicki Hackett, deputy commissioner of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. "The Lamont administration is driving innovative regulatory and policy approaches that are

encouraging investment in the vehicles and charging equipment that support wide-scale adoption of electric vehicles like Tesla," Hackett said.