The measure caps a yearlong struggle by Tesla and its supporters to allow the sales. New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission voted unanimously in March 2014 to bar direct sales — a step dealerships said would protect consumers.
“We're pleased that manufacturers like Tesla will now have the opportunity to establish direct sales operations,” Gov. Christie said in a statement.
Tesla currently has “galleries” in New Jersey, which refer would-be buyers to New York and other states.
Spokesmen for Tesla didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the New Jersey law.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has criticized the argument that dealers protect consumers from car manufacturers.
“Unless they are referring to the mafia version of ‘protection,' this is obviously untrue,” he wrote in a post last year on the company's blog addressed to New Jersey residents. “Consumer protection is pretty much the furthest thing from the typical car dealer's mind.”
This Bloomberg News report appeared on the website of Automotive News, a Detroit-based sister publication of Tire Business.