Electric motorcycle business opens UK HQ in Solihull
Spanish electric motorcycle and scooter business Silence is opening its first UK based flagship retail shop and headquarters in Solihull.
The business has opened its new premises at a regenerated site on Haslucks Green Road, and stocks a full range of Silence 's 'e-moto ' all-electric motorcycles and scooters available for test rides.
The business ' new site will also house a training centre and warehouse facilities.
The 100 per cent electric Silence 'e-motos ' are equivalent to 50cc and 125cc mopeds and scooters, travelling up to 91 miles on a single charge while eliminating emissions, noise and vibrations and reducing running costs to around one pence per mile.
10 jobs will be initially created in Solihull with an estimated 200 jobs to be supported across the UK as the business expands.
John Edwards, one of founding partners of Silence UK, commented: “Solihull makes the perfect location for investment, in the first phase of our launch and establishment of our UK headquarters.
“Not only is the West Midlands already a hub for electric vehicle businesses and research, but its leaders are focused on ecomobility and infrastructure. ”
Councillor Ian Courts, leader of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council welcomed the move.
He said: “We 're delighted that Silence have chosen to base their UK headquarters here in Solihull.
“Their investment reflects the confidence in the region as we position ourselves to be at the forefront of low-carbon future mobility.
“Transport currently accounts for 39 per cent of Co2 emissions across the borough. Tackling this area is going to be key to unlocking our low carbon future and achieving our net zero carbon aspirations for the region by 2041. ”
Dan Storer, Chief Investment Officer at the West Midlands Growth Company - the region 's official investment promotion agency - added: “The decision for Silence to base its UK headquarters in Solihull is affirmation of the region 's potential to accelerate innovation in the sector and drive interest from foreign companies with aspirations to be part of a world-class automotive ecosystem. ”
Electrified two-wheel travel, is growing in popularity. The electric 50cc and 125cc market grew by 50 per cent in 2020 and is up almost 300 per cent in the first four months of 2021, growing by over 550 per cent in April alone.
According to research from the University of Oxford, travelling by electrified two-wheel travel instead of a car just once a day reduces an average citizen 's carbon emissions from transport by 67 per cent.
Pictured: The new Silence retail shop in Solihull