Kyle
Micah Toll, who graduated with a bachelor of science degree yesterday from the University of Pittsburgh, is the founder of an electric bicycle startup called Pulse Motors. Pulse Motors is based in Pittsburgh, but now with Toll graduated from college, he’s ready to expand. Rather than expand down the street, or another state over, he’s decided to expand to Tel Aviv, Israel some 6,000 miles away.
The company’s first electric bike is called the Personal Electric Vehicle Zero or PEVO. Toll, his partners Thorin Tobiassen, and Max Pless along with their fleet of beta testers in Pittsburgh have already amassed 1,000 test miles on their first prototype and Toll reports that the #2 and #3 bikes aren’t far behind.
Toll, who was named one of the top 5 college entrepreneurs by Entrepreneur Magazine, has already spent dome time in Tel Aviv. Through the Jewish Agency for Israel Toll was able to participate in a program called “Birthright” on a trip to Israel in 2011 Toll communicated with his team via video chat, which he will continue when he moves out there this summer.
More after the break
Toll said that his decision to move to Israel was because of their startup culture. Also, Tel Aviv already has a strong infrastructure of electric vehicles. Pulse doesn’t see the PEVO as a recreational bike, they hope that users will replace their normal unsustainable forms of transportation with a PEVO. Of course riding an electric bike is fun (I own a Pedego), the implications for the environment and also the convenience of an electric bike should attract a larger adoption rate in the United States.
Toll will be splitting his time between Tel Aviv and Pittsburgh. He told the York Daily Record that he plans on making frequent trips to Pittsburgh “to oversee operations and engage in projects and meetings that are easier done in person.”
“We are giving the public an opportunity to make a life-changing decision and try green commuting without the worries that prevent most people from taking that leap,” the website reads. “Pulse Motors offers a lease option that allows city residents to enjoy all the benefits of electric vehicle commuting without the hassles of conventional vehicle ownership, such as high initial vehicle costs, insurance, inspections, etc.”
Linkage:
Check out Pulse Motors Here
Source: York Daily Record
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