Electric Motorcycle Startup Seeks Diversification and Expansion
Cleveland-based electric motorcycle startup Land Moto is looking to diversify its technology by powering up the battery design side of its business. To achieve this goal, the company has raised an additional $3 million in funding, bringing its total to $10 million.
The District: A Striking Electric Motorbike
Land’s primary product is the District, a striking electric motorbike that sits at the intersection of e-bike and motorcycle. Powered by one or two large Land-designed batteries, the District can be limited to Class 2 operation (meaning no permit required) or taken up to above 70 MPH in performance mode.
In addition to its impressive speed capabilities, the District also offers a range of up to 80-100 miles on a single charge. The bike’s batteries are available in various sizes, including a nominal 5.5 kWh option, making it an attractive choice for both transportation and off-grid applications.
Beyond Transportation: A Giant Battery at Home
Like many electric vehicle manufacturers, Land is finding that there is significant potential in having a giant battery present at someone’s home beyond just providing power for the bike. The company is exploring this idea by developing a new accessory called the Power Tap, which adds a 400W, three-prong outlet and four USB-C plugs to the side of the bike.
The Power Tap is not designed for use while riding but rather as a convenient way to charge devices or run appliances during a power outage. Land hopes to promote this use case by making it easy to integrate the Power Tap into their battery design.
Investing in Battery Manufacturing and Design
The new $3 million funding round will be used to invest more heavily in the battery manufacturing and design piece, making the Core batteries more than just a component of the District bike. Being able to manufacture electric batteries in-house is a pivotal moment for Land Moto, as it allows the company to ramp up battery production in 2024 and continue to innovate and improve the intuitive design of the battery.
A New Era in Electric Battery Design
Land’s head of design, Evan Painter, stated that the company has observed the electric ecosystem spreading out beyond just transportation into micromobility and off-grid purposes. This new era of electric battery design will enable Land to create more innovative and efficient batteries for various applications.
The Future of Home Integration
As part of its expansion plans, Land is exploring the possibilities for home integration and utilization of its battery technology. The company aims to make it easy for customers to integrate their batteries into their homes, whether for charging devices or running appliances during a power outage.
While Painter was hesitant to elaborate on the exact possibilities for home use and integration, he did mention that the new battery is designed to slot into the bike’s slot with minimal modification. This flexibility will enable Land to create future vehicles of different sizes and types while maintaining compatibility with its existing battery technology.
Nunc Coepi Ventures Leads Funding Round
The $3 million funding round was led by Nunc Coepi Ventures, a special purpose venture vehicle. This investment brings Land’s total funding to $10 million and will enable the company to further develop its innovative electric battery design and manufacturing capabilities.
Conclusion
Land Moto’s decision to invest in battery manufacturing and design is an exciting development for the electric motorcycle industry. With its innovative approach to battery technology, the company aims to make electric transportation more accessible and convenient for consumers. As the electric ecosystem continues to evolve, Land Moto is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of sustainable transportation.
Related Topics
- Electric motorcycles
- Battery design and manufacturing
- Sustainable transportation
- Home integration and utilization of battery technology