Today we met with Tim Miller of Green Lite Motors. As CEO and President Tim leads a team planning on bringing to market a three wheeled, gas-electric hybrid vehicle with a freeway range of 250 miles at 100 MPG.
Tim comes to the project with a background that includes Intel, CitySearch.com and a long history of interest in automobiles. In addition to designing mechanical auto parts in his youth, he wrote is college thesis on the automotive industry.
The team of seven, which includes a mechanical engineer, industrial designer, mechanical designer, software and electronics, battery systems, and marketing and sales, came together in early 2006. They are currently working with a third generation prototype.
Green Lite Motors recently received some welcome attention by being selected finalists in the Clean Tech Open. In addition to receiving six months of mentoring, a cash prize and in-kind consultation the company was exposed to a high level of investors. They are currently raising $500,000 in seed capital. If that comes through in the next few months, followed by two larger rounds, the company hopes to be in the market selling vehicles in 2011. There have two models planned, a $19,900 regular hybrid and a $24,900 plug in hybrid.
The company expects to test market in the Portland area and quickly spread throughout the West Coast. They plan on partnering with existing auto dealerships for stand alone, urban centered showrooms. Production will be in Portland and will basically be an assembly operation while components are outsourced.
Green Lite expects to roll their vehicle out on the West Coast targeting the large urban markets. The target buyer described by Tim would be a Bay Area single commuter who spends 45 minutes a day in traffic and who doesn’t benefit from the HOV lanes. The three wheeled Green Lite vehicle is rated as a motorcycle and will be eligible to drive in HOV lanes.
Tim doesn’t see the lower priced Arcimoto (which we wrote about here) as competition. With a smaller range between charges the fully electric Arcimoto is a more around town, short commute vehicle. He is more concerned with competition from two Southern California companies, Aptera and Persu, each creating a three wheeled, hybrid electric vehicle. The Aptera is very aerodynamically designed and is priced at between $25,000 and $40,000 depending on the model. They are currently taking $500 reservations with delivery scheduled for late 2009 and 2010 (per their website). The Persu has not published a price or delivery date. Both companies plan an initial launch limited to California residents.
The Green Lite, the Aptera and Persu all drive like a cross between a car and a motorcycle. They lean into curves creating a sporty experience. The lean is controlled by the driver in the Green Lite and Aptera while the Persu uses hydraulics to force the lean.
The race is on to create and then grab a new niche in commuter vehicles. Green Lite Motors is banking on being efficient, fun, attractive and sporty. They definitely have a number more hurtles to cross, but with continued hard work and some luck we hope to see them on the streets on Portland in 2011.
