DISTRIBUTOR
EMBRACING ELECTRIC
Despite the lingering uncertainty about e-scooters, UK product distributor Tandem Group is forging ahead in e-mobility. Director of sales Matt Rudd talks to Alex Ballinger about e-transport
E
-scooters continue to be the biggest talking point in urban transport, as the UK Government moves towards their legalisation on the roads.
Despite the messaging from the authorities, there remains
plenty of scepticism and uncertainty about the emerging technology in the bike industry, as many retailers still aren’t convinced by the opportunities in selling e-scooters. But elsewhere in the industry, brands are embracing
e-scooter technology, including British distributor Tandem. The cycling wing of Tandem, Tandem Group Cycles, has
now added Li-Fe e-scooters to its portfolio, currently offering five models, ranging from £159.99 to £549.99. Matt Rudd, director of sales with Tandem Group, has explained to BikeBiz the company’s continued investment in e-mobility products.
Distribution and investment “We have witnessed in recent years people understanding the benefits of e-mobility and starting to embrace e-scooters, a trend that is simply well beyond e-bikes,” said Rudd.
30 | August 2022
Tandem
director of sales Matt Rudd
“The UK scooter market volume last year was estimated at over 250,000 units, which continues to show positive year-on- year increases. We haven’t just started distributing e-scooters - this is a category we continue to invest in designing and distributing products building on our experience and success of electric kids scooters within our MV Sports business.” Tandem Group, based in Solihull near Birmingham, is a
designer and distributor of sports and leisure equipment, ranging from kids’ toys to garden and outdoor products. The cycling wing of the company, Tandem Group Cycles, based in Birmingham, works with a number of well-known bands including Dawes, Claud Butler and Falcon.
The retailer view Earlier this year, retailers shared their thoughts on the future of e-scooters, but the consensus appeared to be that many store owners were reluctant to sell electric scooters, at least until Government legislation catches up. Since then, Ministers have announced plans for a new vehicle category specifically for low-emission, low-speed
www.bikebiz.com
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