It was only a year in a successful dream career before RJ Napolitano realized he wanted more.
Napolitano used his finance degree from Penn State University as an investment banker for Goldman Sachs in Manhattan. He loved the industry and the workplace, but he felt the time was right to move away from a steady job – and a paycheck – to explore uncharted territory.
“In the end, I just decided that I really wanted to do something on my own. I wanted to take the chance to do something that could actually make a difference, ”said Napolitano.
Zebra, the Phoenix electric bike company Napolitano, founded in 2019, is the result of this risk. Napolitano used his savings to start the company without a salary when he learned more about the entrepreneurial side of the business world.
He identified e-bikes in a transportation sector that would experience major disruption if the industry were to switch from traditional forms of electricity and fuel to electric. In addition to co-founder Michael Brown, Napolitano’s goal to have a greater global impact on the environment was also part of the mission.
There are three models in the Zebra lineup, starting with the Z1 model, which can travel 35 miles on a single charge at a cost of $ 1,795, to the ZX2, which has a range of 120 miles at $ 2,795.
There are currently black or white colors to choose from, but Napolitano said the limited edition colors will be launched this year. The company will also work to increase the distance ranges.
Initially, Zebra sold about 40 bikes, Napolitano said. Since then, it has been sold in several thousand and shipped to consumers in the 48 neighboring states.
Responding to consumer needs
At first glance, it seems like Napolitano’s decision to start his own business so soon after entering the working world after college was made in a rush, fueled by a touch of youthful hubris.
However, the research and data tracking that began and continues today shows that the concept was far from premature. Napolitano and his team have done their homework to ensure that their product not only reaches the target audience, but also effectively does what it needs.
Napolitano found that the typical car owner spends an average of $ 700 a month servicing their vehicle and keeping it operational on the roads. Research found that 65% of car trips were between 3 and 15 miles. Hence, zebra’s focus would be on transports shorter than 15 miles.
With that in mind, the bikes are designed to travel longer distances on one charge than most competitors, like the ZX2 model which uses two batteries for a capacity of 120 miles.
Zebra consumers are made up of both men and women and are between 18 and 70 years old, Napolitano said. 65 percent use their zebra for commuting or for rides in the city. The rest use them for various reasons, e.g. B. to run errands or delivery jobs like Uber Eats.
“People are looking for a more efficient way to get around. They want to achieve their personal goals to reduce emissions and they think the cost of owning a car is too high, ”he said. “E-bikes are huge in other parts of the world, but are largely ignored here.”
Arizona State University Nursing Student Devin Rivet has been using his zebra every day since purchasing it in January. He uses it to go to the gym, run errands, and go to his friend’s house 3 miles from Rivet’s Tempe house.
He has a traditional bike but enjoys the flexibility and freedom this mode of transport offers. Rivet raved about the customer service that ensures their satisfaction after the purchase.
“It’s the most convenient thing. I love it. It’s also a lot cheaper than a car, ”said Rivet, who also sells solar panels as a part-time job. “The environmental benefits the zebra has are something that I am everything for.”
Napolitano credited supportive early investors who got Zebra up and running. He hired people who specialize in the vehicle hardware itself and used early feedback to tailor models to meet consumer needs.
Zebra is part of a global e-bike market that is projected to reach $ 70 billion by 2027, according to Markets and Markets. According to a study cited by Forbes, annual sales of the number of e-bikes are expected to rise to 17 million by 2030.
According to company data, 80% of customers say that zebra rides have replaced their car rides. Zebra’s goal: Eliminate 100 million car journeys and eliminate 4.25 million tons of CO2 in the next five years.
“The future is electric”
So far, Napolitano’s original goal has been to make an impact and help people reduce their carbon footprint.
“Everyone in the company has made these parts a priority. We believe the future is electric and will be sustainable, ”said Napolitano. “We want to do more, but the fact that we’ve taken thousands of cars off the road is a great start.”
Napolitano has received feedback from Zebra customers who are grateful for an alternative to public transport, traditional bicycles, and walking in inclement weather or conditions that are not pedestrian friendly.
The pandemic played a role. Napolitano said the company saw a surge in growth over the past year as people wanted the freedom to have their own affordable transportation that wasn’t about sharing closed spaces with strangers or using common units on streets.
Napolitano said he has customers who commute up to two hours less each day, which gives them more family time or activities that are more fulfilling than sitting on a bus or train.
“For me, the most rewarding thing is to see people struggling with public transport that are responsible for commuting,” said Napolitano. “It completely changed her life. There is no price for that. “
What: zebra
Where: Phoenix
Employees: 11
Factoid: According to Markets and Markets, the global e-bike market size is expected to grow to $ 70.0 billion by 2027.
Details: rittzebras.com
Comments are closed.