Does any readers have a local Best Buy that carries Light Electric Vehicles (LEV)? If so, please contact me.
The entry into the category by Best Buy last year was heralded as perhaps a move that would reverse 115 years of consumer indifference. The consumer electronics powerhouse opened a light electric vehicle (LEV) department at 20 stores, mostly in California and Oregon last summer to sell electric motorcycles and scooters in addition to bikes. Four of the company’s UK stores also sell LEVs.
“Our venture into the LEV market is an experiment, to see if it is something our customers want. We chose a phased in approach to learn the business. We didn’t want to approach it saying the LEV market is -X’ big and we want -Y’ share of it,” said Chad Bell, Best Buy’s transportation new business solutions group leader.
Best Buy has been selling electric vehicles for less than a year, but has opened an additional 16 LEV departments to bring its total to 36. And it’s adding heavier electric vehicles (EV) like electric micro cars to its electric vehicle product mix, which suggests the company is more than mildly encouraged by its early success.
Since the original roll out in California, Oregon and New York City, electric vehicle departments have opened in Illinois, Florida and Texas. The company also will experiment and open a few heavy electric vehicle only departments.
“New electric vehicle technologies are hitting the market and we want to introduce them to our customers. So it’s exciting to see if they are something our customers want,” Bell said.
Read more at Bicycle Retailer
Best Buy’s Electric Bikes online