Helixx is a startup that is working to disrupt the traditional electric vehicle market, planning to apply fast food economics and Netflix pricing strategies to electric vehicles (EVs). They hope to attract more consumers, especially those who are price-sensitive to electric vehicles, through more competitive subscription prices and flexible services.
Helixx’s 3D printed prototype Daisy was recently unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, demonstrating the company’s innovative manufacturing concepts. Nearly every part of Daisy is manufactured using a consumer-grade 3D printer, costing just $6,000. Helixx aims to use this technology to set up temporary factories near densely populated cities around the world to mass-produce these vehicles.
Helixx’s innovative model includes a multi-tiered revenue model that goes beyond manufacturing vehicles. They plan to offer a complete platform covering everything from parts procurement to fleet management and even final vehicle refurbishment. Companies can pay a licensing fee of about $50 million to access the platform and then deploy the “factory in a box” concept to start producing vehicles within 180 days.
These electric vans are primarily aimed at commercial use, especially in cities like Jakarta or Bangkok where tricycles and autorickshaws are common modes of transportation. Daisy is fully electric, but it does not charge directly. Instead, it uses replaceable lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery modules. Each module provides 2 kWh of capacity, and users can plug in up to six modules as needed. .
In order to use Helixx’s electric vehicles, drivers need to subscribe, similar to Netflix’s subscription model, and pay a monthly fee whether they use it or not. This will help Helixx and its franchisees avoid the demand fluctuations faced by other mobile services.
Helixx’s plan is not only an innovation in business models, but also a new way of thinking about future transportation. If this model can be successfully promoted, it will likely completely change the competitive landscape of the electric vehicle market and promote the rapid development of the entire industry.
Top image source: Helixx
