Yeah, saw that early adopter discount. Very cool.
Sound like Lutz has been an investor since early 2010 at least based on this interview with Peter Scott, Current Motor president (30 Nov 2010)...
http://evworld.com/EVWORLD_TV.CFM?storyid=1940I plan on writing something on
http://Plugbike.com soon about it.
I took some notes from the video above if you don't have time to watch it...
<400k investment to build first scooter
Capital efficient and fast to market
Main asset is Control systems for battery life and charge time along with Vehicle Control Unit that ties all electronics together.
Scooters have reverse, regen
Scott believes ev industry should adopt “LA Drive Cycle†for range numbers.
Starts, stops, average speeds, etc
Low total cost of ownership, pay back premium in one year
January 2010 was first delivery
6 bikes sold as of September 2010
Feedback
- quiet
- fast and quick acceleration
Hub motor
4.5 kW constant 12 kW max
150,000 gas scooters sold in US per year
- San Fran is popular for scoots
Current Motor will have beach head in US and go to Europe and Asia
Assembly in Ann Harbor, MI, parts from China
2 people build one bike in 1 day
Learned from Vectrix about the importance of scaling and starting small
Pike research: 466 millino ev 2 wheelers in the world by 2016
2009: 1000 electric scooters sold.
Customers are not gas scooter riders. Not cannibalizing gas scooter market.
Awareness of electric scooters will riaise
Not sure who customers will be:
They think it will be...
Urban commuter
Green focused early adapters (usually younger)
However...
First 6 customers were professionals aged 45 – 55 years old
Dealer base:
Customer in WI, Atlanta
Hired a dealer guy to develop the channel. Not sure if it will be traditional, web or both or other
Author
Topic: Bob Lutz invests in Current Motors (Read 1452 times)