eWheels Tucson Service Center Fire, Site Destroyed

[Jason McNeil]

Before the information makes it out through the news, with the inevitable spread of rumours & disinformation, at exactly 10pm local time, our Tucson service center caught on fire, destroying the site, no one was hurt or injured. Our primary inventory is stored at a different facility in LA. 

At the time the battery packs were stored large industrial refrigeration units, signs are that the fire did not originate there. The evidence from the security footage is that the fire started in a generic parts stoage area, foul-play is a possibility, which is being investigated.

While there was fire insurance, it certainly is not sufficient to cover a fraction of the loses. Even if there was the inclination & the will, it would take years to rebuild to level before this dreadful night, compounded with the supply cruch, oppressive import duties, along with other challenges, I'm doing some serious soul-searching about what to do next. At this particular moment, what is becoming increasingly apparent is that trying to continue the fight against unfavourable risks & the broader economic policy environment isn't viable.

Please understand that there are a myriad of activities need immediate attention, it would be most helpful to not call, or email, right now as we try formulate a tactical response to this event. 

Thank you,

Jason  

Edited October 31, 2021 by Jason McNeil

[Arbolest]

You have my sincerest condolences. I hope that the cause can be brought to light quickly.

[Paul A]

Terrible news, please take care.

[chulander]

Oh my, that is heartbreaking news. I’m so sorry that happened and hope that you bounce back stronger Jason. 

[Ronin Ryder]

Sorry to hear this. Hope everything will be sorted out for you fast. 

[RetroThruster]

I'm so sorry to hear this, I hope you sort it out and rebuild but certainly understand when enough is enough, selling/servicing products like this has to be an enormous task.  Thanks for the brilliant service and hope things work out in the future!

[Asphalt]

This is terrible, not only for eWheels, but for the industry and community.

I don't know the details, but I'd imagine because it's eWheels' service center, that they had an enormous stock pile of parts for older/discontinued models - parts that the manufacturers no longer make. If you have an older PEV, you may want to search for alternative sources of backup components because their availability will likely be very limited now.

I'd imagine that this will have a big impact on the used PEV market in North America. Who will buy a wheel that can't be repaired due to lack of components? This may drive down used-PEV prices, but perhaps it will also drive up prices for a few coveted working collector PEVs? Replacement parts are going to get more expensive.

Anyone who had a wheel in for servicing will be out a wheel. I imagine that eWheels, as they've been known to do, will "do the right thing" and offer compensation. I can't fathom how hard this will hit eWheels financially.

The cost of all the tools, processing and shipping systems will be enormous, not to mention the impact on employees who will likely be sidelined until a new facility can be constructed, which will likely take months, if ever.

I hope that Jason and eWheels can build back even better. The PEV market is growing rapidly and eWheels has the most to gain if they can get through this rough period.

Dealers get a lot of grief from customers, manufacturers, insurers, shippers, regulatory bodies and YouTubers. I'm grateful that someone is willing to take on the risk and deal with logistics, hassle and catastrophic events. For that I'm willing to pay a few dollars more for my EUC.

[winterwheel]

Very sorry to hear about this.

[Kilroy]

Destroyed the warranty&service site and thoughts of not continuing.  I just received my first euc, a V11 from them.  Am worried about warranty service and parts availability.  Of course we wish them a full recovery. It seemed like euc use was poised to soar with ewheels at the lead. Hope I'm not over reacting. Time will tell.

[EMA]

sorry to hear that

[Mrd777]

Jason, I can speak from so many souls that we are so sorry to hear this news. We will support you even more for a turnaround, as you have done so much in building our community.  Please hang in there.

 

Edited October 31, 2021 by Mrd777

[Patrick Robert]

Heartbreaking news, so sorry to hear about this. This is such a shock.

I understand how things can look like all the odds are stacked against you at this moment, but know that eWheels is both respected and loved by this community, after everything that you've done for us.

Please take some time to recover, make some adjustments if need be, and then bounce back like the Black Cobra! 

[Paul A]

Maybe the manufacturers would be able to offer support and assistance.

They have a vested interest in seeing eWheels survive and continuing.

Ewheels would be the number one US distributor with such a good reputation, trustworthiness, goodwill, loyalty, well loved by customers, built up over so many years.

The USA would presumably be the number one market in the world for EUCs.

[FlyboyEUC]

So sorry to hear about this. Ewheels has been such a huge support to the community. Please keep us updated on developments and thank you for being so transparent with us. 

[chulander]

28 minutes ago, Kilroy said:

Destroyed the warranty&service site and thoughts of not continuing.  I just received my first euc, a V11 from them.  Am worried about warranty service and parts availability.  Of course we wish them a full recovery. It seemed like euc use was poised to soar with ewheels at the lead. Hope I'm not over reacting. Time will tell.

“Worried about warranty service”???

Is that really the right thing to say at this moment? 
 

 

 

[Kilroy]

Sorry, just woke up. Not the right thing to say now.

[Kurtosis]

This is awful. I'm so sorry Jason. You and your staff have been nothing but professional and courteous to me since I started doing business with you with my first e-scooter purchase. Know that the community is pulling for you, both as a business, but also personally. 

[wheel-life]

Brutal news, sorry to hear this happened Jason. 

[MattDeamon]

I never had to do business with eWheels (yet!), but your own personal and corporative actions/reputation stood by themselves through countless stories and comments i've read all over the EUC space.

I truly hope you go through this and recover to become even stronger, if anyone can pull it off, its you. 

No matter what you decide, i tip my hat to you and your team. 

[LanghamP]

1 hour ago, Asphalt said:

I'd imagine that this will have a big impact on the used PEV market in North America. Who will buy a wheel that can't be repaired due to lack of components? This may drive down used-PEV prices, but perhaps it will also drive up prices for a few coveted working collector PEVs? Replacement parts are going to get more expensive.

End of life and repair is a serious problem with both EUCs and eBikes, and it's not something talked about often but should since that would standardize components and safety standards.

Ultimately, in my very strong opinion, EUCs need to go with removable batteries that will stay locked in place as this would allow batteries to be separated and safely stored by retailers in fire boxes like the way they should have been all along. Not doing so isn't an accident but a statistical certainty.

[RockyTop]

Take care Jason. I don’t know what we can do for you. I am sure that many of us would like to help you as payback for your past generosity. 
 

To others:

These are difficult times without this fire. ( shipping backups, China issues, pandemic) Please be patient in this situation. 

[Izzy T]

EWheels, I’m sorry to hear all these sad and bad news…not only to you and your company but to us the EUC community. Thank you sharing and for keeping us update. 
More power to your company  and I hope things all get figured out and you recover stronger.

[Tawpie]

@Jason, what a horrible night. I'm so sorry this happened and do expect that all of us… your customers, your supporters and even your critics, will be patient while you figure out the next steps. The positive way you and your staff have contributed to this hobby and community cannot be measured—you've been a key element driving its growth and for that we all owe you an enormous debt of gratitude.

Be sure to stop to take extra good care of yourself for the next while. And I do hope you'll be back.

[EUC Sharkman]

The cornerstone of the community is distributors to actually get us our PEVs to ride and to help with repairs. My condolences and I hope you bounce back from this as quickly as possible.

[eucVibes]

So sorry to read this tragic news, Do you guys think it’s a good idea to start a go fund me as a way for the euc community to show support and try and help in some way during this tough time for ewheels?