In this TNGlobal Q&A, Joshua Goh, Chief Executive Officer of Scorpio Electric, discusses the company’s journey in promoting sustainable mobility in Southeast Asia. Founded by Melvin Goh, Scorpio Electric stands as Singapore’s first electric motorcycle brand, addressing the region’s urgent sustainability challenges. Joshua Goh’s insights illuminate the pressing need for electric mobility alternatives, especially when confronted with the sea of traditional (internal combustion engine) motorcycles popular in Southeast Asia streets. While the push for electric vehicles in Singapore is only beginning, Goh shares his insights into how the company navigates the intricate challenges of the Southeast Asian market.

“At Scorpio Electric, our driving force is innovation and sustainability. We seamlessly blend cutting-edge technology with our unwavering commitment to a greener future, says Goh. “We’re not just building electric motorcycles; we’re steering the course toward sustainable urban mobility, lighting the way for a cleaner, smarter, and more eco-friendly world.”

What are the defining moments or experiences in Southeast Asia that solidified your passion for sustainable mobility and led you to establish Scorpio Electric?

I wasn’t the one who started the Scorpio Electric brand. The founder of Scorpio Electric is actually my father, Melvin Goh. His Scorpio horoscope is set to leave the legacy of his vision, a future of sustainable mobility. Having done years of business all over Southeast Asia and Europe, where two-wheel transportation is sometimes a need, sometimes a leisure activity, Melvin had the foresight of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to challenge the automotive incumbents.

Scorpio Electric is Singapore’s first electric motorcycle brand. In Singapore, the concept of producing electric motorcycles had never been ventured into before. Presently, the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is progressing at a gradual pace. This circumstance provided us with a unique opening to establish the Scorpio Electric brand.

But beyond this opportunity, it was the collective realization among our team members that we were deeply dedicated to sustainability. For instance, during a visit to Indonesia with the team, we witnessed firsthand the sheer number of internal combustion motorcycles traversing through the streets of Indonesia. It was a glimpse of how two-wheel mobility is intertwined with the lives of the locals and also the pressing need for new sustainable technology to help reduce global greenhouse gas. This experience solidified our passion for sustainable mobility and inspired us to establish Scorpio Electric.

Kindly highlight a few key milestones that resonate most with the company’s sustainability goals and overall vision, especially in the Southeast Asian context.

Our trip to Madrid in June this year for the ‘Nexus Europe’ event proved to be quite affirming for us. While showcasing our product, the Scorpio Electric X1, we received enthusiastic feedback and recognition from our partners and distributors. They expressed admiration for Scorpio Electric and were particularly impressed by the uniqueness of our product.

Additionally, another milestone worth mentioning is the upcoming global launch of the X1 and the unveiling of two new concept motorcycles in EICMA 2023 in November this year, which further demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and our vision for the future.

As CEO, how do you cultivate a culture of creativity and forward-thinking within Scorpio Electric, and how does this translate into ensuring the company’s competitiveness in the region?

First and foremost, we encourage open communication and an inclusive environment where every team member’s ideas are valued and heard. This ensures that diverse perspectives contribute to our innovation process. Regular brainstorming sessions and cross-functional collaboration across different departments allow us to tap into the collective intelligence of our team.

To ensure our competitiveness in the region, we consistently introduce groundbreaking features and design elements that set our products apart. For instance, the Scorpio Electric X1 incorporates cutting-edge battery technology, which demonstrates our commitment to innovation and meeting the evolving needs of our customers.

Can you share some of the unique challenges facing the electric vehicle industry in Southeast Asia? What do you believe are the primary obstacles on the horizon, and what strategies has Scorpio Electric set in place to navigate them?

The electric motorcycle market is fragmented, with multiple players attempting to gain market share. It is a challenge for most companies to attain brand and product differentiation. The challenges that Southeast Asia cities face are not that different from the rest of the world: a mismatch of consumer demand and supply, a gap in infrastructure and EV population, etc. In a competitive market like Southeast Asia, riders are discerning and sophisticated. Without a strong case of utility, EV adoption will remain low. Global government intervention will be a gradual process that will help alleviate some of these pain points as Scorpio Electric continues to innovate and create unique products that will excite riders to take charge of a sustainable future that everyone is working towards.

As urban centers in Southeast Asia grapple with the challenges of sustainability and transportation, how do you see electric mobility evolving? Moreover, how does Scorpio Electric aim to be an influencer in this transformation?

Scorpio Electric aims to be a significant influencer in this transformative process. We are dedicated to driving the adoption of electric mobility by offering innovative and high-quality electric motorcycles that cater to the region’s unique urban challenges. Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond just the products we offer; we actively engage with stakeholders, governments, and communities to advocate for supportive policies and infrastructure development.

Furthermore, by continuously pushing the boundaries of design and technology, we inspire other players in the industry to elevate their standards. Our focus on innovation and customer-centric solutions sets a benchmark that encourages healthy competition and accelerates the overall adoption of electric mobility.

Given the rapid pace of tech advancements, what do you believe is the most consequential technological trend poised to impact the electric mobility sector globally, and more specifically, in Southeast Asia? Why do you think it holds such significance?

In the realm of electric mobility, one of the most consequential technological trends with global and Southeast Asian implications is the development of advanced battery technology, particularly in the context of energy density and charging infrastructure.

Batteries are the heart of electric vehicles, and advancements in battery technology have the potential to significantly reshape the industry. Increasing energy density allows for longer ranges on a single charge, addressing a primary concern for potential EV adopters. This technology can bridge the gap between electric vehicles and internal combustion engine vehicles, making EVs a more practical choice for consumers, particularly in regions with vast urban sprawls like Southeast Asia.

This technological trend holds immense significance because it addresses the main barriers to electric vehicle adoption – range anxiety and charging accessibility. As governments and consumers alike emphasize sustainable transportation, overcoming these barriers accelerates the transition to electric mobility, helping to combat air pollution, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance energy efficiency.

In Southeast Asia, where urbanization and environmental concerns are particularly acute, these advancements can play a transformative role. They offer the potential to create a cleaner, more sustainable transportation landscape that aligns with the region’s goals for reducing emissions and improving air quality.

Looking ahead to the rest of 2023, what immediate objectives does Scorpio Electric have in its sights? Are there any major initiatives or collaborations we should be excited about?

Looking ahead to the rest of 2023, Scorpio Electric has several exciting initiatives in its sights. One of our immediate objectives is to participate in the EICMA event, where we plan to launch our brand and X1. This event is a significant platform for us to showcase our latest innovations and expand our presence in the industry, which will help set new benchmarks in sustainable urban mobility. These initiatives underscore our commitment to advancing electric mobility and enhancing our product offerings.