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Key people at RION Motors.
RION Motors designs and hand-crafts high-performance electric vehicles, specializing in premium hyperscooters. The company engineers light electric platforms that deliver exceptional speed, power, and agility, pushing technological boundaries in personal micromobility. They integrate advanced materials with sophisticated powertrains to provide an elite, uncompromised riding experience.
Chris Rion founded RION Motors in 2012, recognizing an unfulfilled potential for extreme performance in compact electric vehicles. His vision was to establish a new transport category prioritizing raw power and precise control. Rion’s commitment to engineering excellence guided the meticulous development of these superior performance vehicles.
RION Motors primarily serves discerning enthusiasts demanding ultimate electric micromobility performance and aesthetic quality. The company continuously advances light electric vehicle technology. Their long-term vision is to establish new benchmarks for speed, efficiency, and rider engagement within the evolving personal electric transportation market.
Key people at RION Motors.
Rion Motors is a small, US-based manufacturer of high-performance electric scooters, specializing in lightweight "hyper scooters" that reach speeds up to 75 mph while weighing as little as 40-70 lbs.[1][2][4] Founded around 2012-2014, the company hand-builds custom vehicles with carbon fiber bodies, powerful dual hub motors (e.g., 5,000W peak), and advanced batteries (e.g., 80V 19-21 Ah), targeting enthusiasts seeking racing-grade micromobility that outperforms traditional scooters like the Dualtron X in weight and speed.[2][3][4] These scooters solve the problem of heavy, bulky electric vehicles by prioritizing portability, rapid acceleration, and gradeability over 45°, serving urban riders, racers, and tech-savvy consumers in the growing EV micromobility market.[4][6]
Growth has been niche and artisanal, with rapid R&D enabling prototypes in hours via in-house CNC machining and custom components like throttles and suspension, though production remains limited and hand-assembled in a Los Angeles-area factory.[2][7] Models include the Rion Special Edition (30-48 km range), RE70/RE90, Race Edition, and upcoming RION2 Supersport (12,800W motors, 64 km range), often customized with modes like Sport, City, or Safe.[4][6]
Rion Motors emerged in the early 2010s amid the rise of electric micromobility, officially starting business operations on December 11, 2013, in Studio City, CA, though some sources cite founding in 2012.[3][5] By early 2014, the small team was developing and manufacturing its flagship scooters in a compact LA factory, transitioning from European-sourced parts to fully US-produced hyper scooters—the only such company stateside at the time.[2][4] Key figures include founders or leads like Alex, Charles, Jeff, and possibly "Sofia" (noted in product creation), emphasizing aggressive R&D with state-of-the-art tools for quick iteration from idea to product.[2][6]
Early traction came from the Race Edition (RE) series (RE70, RE80, RE90, limited RE100), praised for excellence in hand-built quality, proprietary controllers with FOC (Field-Oriented Control) for smooth power, and braided copper wiring, setting high bars before mass-production challenges arose.[6][7] Pivotal moments include factory innovations like carbon fiber coating and vacuum-cured components, positioning Rion as a tech innovator rather than just a scooter maker.[2][6]
Rion Motors rides the micromobility and EV performance wave, bringing hyper scooter tech—high-speed, lightweight EVs—to urban and racing niches amid global shifts to sustainable transport.[3] Timing aligns with post-2020 EV battery advances and demand for portable power, amplified by LA's tech ecosystem for rapid prototyping.[2][6] Market forces like rising e-scooter adoption (despite regulatory hurdles on speed) favor their niche, as consumers seek alternatives to heavy commuters.[4][7]
They influence the ecosystem by pioneering US-based hyper scooter production, pushing competitors on weight reduction and FOC controls, though small scale limits broader impact—hand-building caps volume amid profitability struggles from high-end RE series.[2][7]
Rion's artisanal focus on cutting-edge, custom hyper scooters positions it for niche dominance in performance EV micromobility, but scaling beyond hand-assembly will be key amid complaints and non-accredited BBB status (F rating due to unresolved issues).[5][7] Upcoming models like RION2 Supersport signal mass-production ambitions with boosted power (12,800W) and brakes (Shimano XT8020), potentially capturing more market if supply chains stabilize.[4] Trends like advanced battery tech, FOC efficiency, and urban EV regs will shape them—success hinges on balancing quality with volume to avoid corner-cutting pitfalls seen in later models like Thrust.[6][7] As the sole US hyper scooter maker, Rion could evolve into a tech leader, amplifying its high-quality origins into broader ecosystem influence.
