Scorpio Electric partners with distributors in 4 countries ahead of e-bike launch

CEO Joshua Goh (left) with Melvin Goh, founder-adviser at Scorpio Electric / Photo credit: Scorpio Electric

Southeast Asia is betting big on electric vehicle exports. Vietnam-based VinFast is expanding heavily, setting up a manufacturing plant in India and targeting the global market.

Meanwhile, Singapore-based Scorpio Electric is also upping its global game, saying that it has chosen distributors in Japan, Spain, Portugal, and the Philippines. These distributors will facilitate sales for the Scorpio Electric X1 maxi-scooter, the firm’s first EV.

These countries were selected based on factors such as their sizable two-wheeler customer base and rising demand for electric transport, according to Joshua Goh, Scorpio Electric’s CEO.

To prepare for the launch, Scorpio Electric has engaged with local officials in each target market to ensure regulatory approval. Production and delivery for the X1 bike will start in late 2024, the firm said.

The company plans to strengthen existing partnerships and seek new growth opportunities in these markets. In January 2023, the EV brand raised US$6.5 million at a US$150 million valuation.

However, the startup’s losses increased by over 15% to S$3.3 million (US$2.4 million) in the financial year ended March 2023.

Notably, Joel CY Chang, who was the COO at Scorpio Electric, has since moved on to start another Singapore e-motorcycle firm Charged Asia. As of June last year, the company had rolled out 1,000 bikes, focusing on the Indonesian market, and said it was slated to hit profitability by the end of 2023.

See also: Scorpio Electric’s losses climb 15% amid negligible revenue in FYE 2023

Currency converted from Singapore dollar to US dollar: US$1 = S$1.35.