Sat, 01/30/2010 - 16:39
We recently spent some time with Britt Jackson, CEO of Santa Monica EV. They have some pretty cool stuff happening and we thought it will be good to share it with our readers and members.
Q. Give us an overview of your business. What is the focus?
A. Our company has been developing proprietary electric drive systems for almost 10 years. About 18 months ago, we decided to develop our own line of bikes and trikes using that technology. A few months ago, we formed a joint venture with a well-established manufacturer in Asia.
Our focus right now is on bringing our products to market while we continue to develop our core technology for our own products as well as for licensing to other manufacturers.
Q. How did you come up with this business? Why the name: Santa Monica EV?
We decided to develop our own line after growing dissatisfied with the way other companies were handling light electric vehicles in the U.S. There was a disturbing habit amongst companies in the industry of focusing more on raising money than on building and delivering products. There has also been a trend towards arbitrarily high burn rates. We've seen several companies that had more than enough sales to be profitable if they weren't wasting so much on frivolous overhead.
We chose the name and the location because the city itself is so supportive of green initiatives and because the name evokes an outdoor, healthy lifestyle throughout so much of the world.
Q. Who is the audience and market for your business?
A. Initially we will target the same groups that have already embraced electric bikes and trikes in the U.S.
• Older riders who want some exercise but enjoy the security of electric assistance when they need it.
• Students who need a vehicle that gets them to school but that can be parked easily once they get there.
• Short commuters who can't get to work sweaty but might want a little exercise on their way home.
• Light-delivery and commercial users that are now serviced by either a conventional bike or an overly expensive golf cart.
Q. How does your company stand out from the rest in its market segment? What is the benefit to the consumer?
A. We stand out in a few ways. First, our proprietary technology means that our bikes and trikes have better efficiency and better power at the same or lower price point.
Second, our years in the business have taught us how to build a more reliable, longer lasting product.
Third, we understand the importance of service as part of the total product experience. Too many LEV manufacturers simply sell through any channel they can find with no concern for how a consumer will get the vehicle serviced.
Q. We hear that you already have made significant strides in the Asian market. Is that true?
A. Our manufacturing partner has retail locations in China. We also have long-term relationships with companies that sell throughout Southeast Asia. Our bike and trike have already premiered at annual bike shows in Taipei and Shanghai to very strong response.
Q. At what stage is your business in currently? What are your biggest needs?
A. We have completed and tested all our prototypes. Our trike is preparing for production in the next few weeks. At the moment, our biggest need is financing to be able to put our entire line into production and expand our sales and distribution operation in the U.S. In the mean time, we are meeting with clients regarding fleet sales on the recumbent trike.
Q. When do you expect to launch in Southern California?
A. Production prototypes are in transit right now for our initial vehicle so we expect to have some product in a few channels by spring. Once we get financing in place, we will open our own retail location as a base of operations and carry our full product line.
Links:
Santa Monica EV on Clean Green Guy's Deal Marketplace.
Know a company which should be intervewed? Or would you like to be interviewed? Read on.
Alex Scoble is an emerging media and technology enthusiast based out of Southern California.
(1 vote)
Tue, 02/02/2010 - 19:27
#1
Interesting article on Santa Monica EV. This is definitely something to look forward to, something that combines interest of both young and old.
Tue, 02/02/2010 - 21:50
#2
Really cool story about an even cooler product. Looking forward to seeing it on the streets of LA.
Question: What is the competition like in this market for such products? Also, what will be your price points?
Thu, 02/04/2010 - 09:34
#3
There are about 40 or so companies that sell e bikes in the U.S. About a dozen that would be considered major. The best estimates I've seen are that about 200,000 units a year were sold in the past year or two. Mostly through IBDs and lower priced units sell at big box retail.
Our price points will start below $1,000 and go as high as about $2,000 for the trike you saw in the article.
