Electric motorcycle startup in Cleveland Moto land It is looking to diversify by enhancing the battery design side of its technology, and has raised $3 million (on top of the $7 million raised last summer) to do so in 2024.
The primary product of land is A Hit the zone called electric motorcycle, which is somewhat located at the intersection of e-bike and motorcycle. Powered by one or two large floor-mounted batteries, the Zone can be limited to Class 2 operation (meaning no permit required) or reach speeds in excess of 70 mph in performance mode.
(For the sake of transparency, I was actually looking to buy one of these before I decided it was a bit too expensive a bike for me. And after seeing it in person at CES, I’m glad I chose something lighter but newly designed that enticed.)
But like many electric vehicle manufacturers, Land has found there’s a lot of potential in having a giant battery in someone’s home beyond just transportation. Just as some automakers have considered making your electric car a home battery, why shouldn’t your electric bike do the same, but to a lesser extent?
Primary batteries come in a few sizes, up to a nominal 5.5 kWh, giving the bike a range of 80 to 100 miles. It’s also enough to charge your phone for a couple of months or run your coffee maker during a power outage, and they’re hoping to promote this use case with a new accessory called the Power Tap.
The device recently went up for pre-order, and adds a 400-watt three-prong outlet and four USB-C plugs to the side of the bike — obviously not while you’re riding, but when you’re sitting in the woods or at the coffee shop you’re riding to.
Image credits: Moto land
But the new $3 million isn’t just about charging that, the plan is to invest more in overall battery manufacturing and design, making core batteries more than just the thing that’s going on this particular bike.
“The ability to make electric batteries in-house is a pivotal moment for the team. It allows us to ramp up battery manufacturing in 2024 and continue to innovate and improve intuitive battery design,” Evan Painter, Land’s head of design, said in a press release.
I spoke with Painter at CES and he said the company has noticed the electric ecosystem spreading, not just in more niche modes of transportation (like high-end electric motorcycles), but also in micromobility and off-grid items.
A newly redesigned battery was shown off at CES with the same general shape but next-generation, consumer-level integrated inputs and outputs. At present, that means USB-C, USB-A, an AC port, and solar input ports, but this may change as they continue to develop the device. I couldn’t get Painter to explain too much about the home use and integration capabilities.
As with other electric ecosystems, the new battery is designed to fit into the bike’s hatch with minimal modification. Of course, it can also power future vehicles of different sizes and types.
The $3 million funding round brings the company’s total valuation to $10 million, and is led by a SPAC called Nunc Coepi Ventures.