Light Electric Vehicle
Association(LEVA)
What is the LEVA?
The Light Electric Vehicle (LEV) industry has organized a
global trade association to develop technical standards
for LEVs and promote the use of LEVs worldwide.
All component suppliers, manufacturers, assemblers,
wholesalers, retailers, and interested individuals are
invited to join.
Light electric vehicles are defined as battery, fuel cell, or
hybrid-powered two-or-three-wheel vehicles generally
weighing less than 200 pounds (100 Kg). Of this group,
electric bicycles are the most common with electric
scooters coming in second.
LEVA Mission Statement
The Light Electric Vehicle Association's purpose is to
provide services and assistance to light electric vehicle
companies by helping to establish a favorable operating
environment, by providing a forum for discussion and
networking, an industry voice on non-competitive
information sharing issues, and to assist them in the
promotion of their business on an international basis.
LEVA will standardize, track and analyze industry data by
developing a glossary of terms and definitions and
conducting surveys of members with follow up reporting to
members. As the voice of the LEV industry, we will develop
service, quality and safety standards, as well as the
standardization of performance criteria.
Why Join LEVA?
By obtaining an LEVA membership, you are
joining a fast growing association in the LEV
industry. Whether you are a western company
trying to find the right partners in Asia, or a
global company looking for opportunities in
overseas markets, you will discover that the
LEVA is the perfect medium for networking,
establishing contacts, and expanding your
business.
Benefits of Joining LEVA
• Networking opportunities between professionals in the
form of conferences and seminars during international
trade shows; member networking dinners
• Finding customers and suppliers through membership
contacts; introductions
• Improving communications within the industry by
having an educational sharing website, bi-monthly
electronic newsletters and seminars and conferences
• Suggesting models for regulations, “how others do it”
through the survey of worldwide legislation which is
continuously updated
Benefits of Joining LEVA
• Promoting and advocating LEV use by supporting local,
regional and state/country wide efforts
• Providing business to business opportunities through website
advertising and promotional opportunities for members
• Standardization, tracking and analyzing industry data by
developing a glossary of terms and definitions and conducting
surveys of members with follow up reporting to members
• Developing component standards for LEVs in the area of
connectors, chargers, owner’s manuals, and warranty
programs
• Developing service, quality and safety standards to ensure
that consumers are protected
• Provide a website for the promotion of LEVs and LEVA
members
LEVA Board of Directors
Naveen Munjal (Managing Director, Hero Larry Pizzi (President of Currie Technologies- U.S.A.)
Electric- India) Jan. 2007 to present, Hero Currie is a leading US developer and manufacturer of
Electric, a leading Electric Vehicle company in hybrid electric bicycles and electric scooters. Larry
New Delhi, India; also Chief Executive since 2001 was the former Executive Vice President in charge of
Hero Exports, New Delhi, India, exporting a Sales and Marketing at Currie joining the company in
wide range of products ranging from May of 2002. Currie products are sold world-wide
under the IZIP and EZIP brands and other brands
Engineering, Auto Components and Minerals & using “Currie Electro-Drive” propulsion systems.
Metals to over 83 countries worldwide. Hero
Cycles is the largest manufacturer of bicycles in Prior to joining Currie and entering the LEV world,
the world since 1986, manufacturing more than Larry has had a lifetime of experience within the
19,500 bicycles per day. Mr. Munjal is President bicycle industry. He was the Senior Vice President
of the SMEV (Society of Manufacturers of and General Manager at the Schwinn/GT Corporation
Electric Vehicles), the largest Electric Vehicle and the General Manager at Fogdog Sports, a leading
Association in India; a member of EDTA (Electric dot-com retailer of sporting goods. Larry has also
Drive Transport Association), USA; a Founding held sales and marketing management roles within
Member of the Renewable Energy Forum; and the Brunswick Corporation’s bicycle division the
EO (Entrepreneurs Organization) – Sponsorship former owner of Mongoose brand bicycles. He has
also held Sales and Sales Management roles at Bell
Chairman for Delhi, 2008-09, Mentorship Sports, Service Cycle – Cycle Products Corporation
Chairman, 2009-10. Mr. Munjal received his and Raleigh Bicycles - Derby Cycle Corporation. He
MBA with specialization in International has owned and operated Bike-Tech, a successful
Marketing in 1994 from Huron University USA in chain of Specialty Retail stores in Philadelphia,
London, UK. www.heroelectricindia.com Pennsylvania from 1978 to 1990 and has served on
the board of the National Bicycle Dealers Association
as a Director. www.currietech.com
LEVA Board of Directors
Masao Ono (Tokyo R&D Co., Ltd., President Dr. David T. Hon (Founder and CEO of Dahon
and CEO-Japan): Mr. Ono started designing Group-U.S.A): Dr. Hon is a Chinese American
racing cars when he was a student at the and originally worked as a Sr. Physicist at
Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1969, and Hughes Aircraft in California. He was a
has designed more than 20 racing cars leading expert in solid-state laser technology
including cars for Le Mans 24 hours and and his publications, including a chapter of
Formula One, before establishing Tokyo R&D the "Handbook of Lasers", are still widely
in 1981 with several colleagues. Tokyo R&D quoted (Google: Laser, "D.T. Hon"). In 1982,
is an independent engineering company after seeking ways to reduce Man's
specializing in the research and development dependence on oil, he designed the first
of automobiles. Tokyo R&D founded PUES Dahon folding bike. He quit his job with the
Corporation in 1999, and the purpose of Military-Industrial Complex, gathered $3
PUES is to develop and to manufacture million dollars in venture funding, relocated
electric motor, inverter, controller, battery to Taiwan and started to design,
management system, and battery pack for manufacture and market worldwide his
hybrid and electric vehicles. He serves as the inventions. Today, four million bicycles later,
president and CEO of both companies. He Dahon folders can be found all over the
also founded Vemac Car Company Ltd., in world (Google: Bicycles Dahon). Dr. Hon is
1998. This company develops and also the Director of Southern China
manufactures low volume production sports American Chamber of Commerce, among
cars and racing cars. www.r-d.co.jp/eng other professional and non-profit activities.
Ph.D., Physics, University of Southern
California. www.dahon.com
LEVA Board of Directors
Jack Oortwijn (Editor in Chief, Publication Eddie Eccleston (C.E.O. of MUI Ltd. Tunisia):
Manager, Bike Europe- Amsterdam): After Eccleston was previously Managing Director
graduating with a Masters degree in retail of Ideal Bikes Ltd., Managing Director of
marketing, Jack Oortwijn started his career Britain largest manufacturer (490K bike units
at the Dutch Toyota and Suzuki importer in per annum) Townsend Cycles (a member of
the communication department. As he was the Tandem Plc. Group), and Managing
(and still is) an avid motorcyclist and through Director of Peugout UK (cycle division). In
his contacts at the Suzuki importer he was his early days, he was a store owner of three
asked to join the editorial staff of a bicycle outlets. He was the former President
motorcyclist magazine in 1979. This was also of the British Bicycle Association, former
his start in journalism. From the motorcycle President a.i. of the European Cycle
magazine he switched to the Dutch bike Manufactures Association (COLIBI), and a
dealer magazine ‘Tweewieler’ where he was former Board Member of the European Parts
editor-in-chief for about ten years. In 1996, Manufactures Association (Coliped).
Jack Oortwijn initiated Bike Europe which is www.muitunisia.com
now in its 12th year of publication and has
developed into one of the leading trade
journals for the bike industry. www.bike-
eu.com
LEVA Founder, Ed Benjamin
Ed Benjamin, LEVA Founder (Benjamin Sidney Kuropchak (Executive Director, LEVA-
Consulting, Owner-USA): An authority on light USA) Ms. Kuropchak worked as the general
electric vehicle products and business. Extensive manager of American Electric Cycle and Fitness
contacts within the world wide light electric (AECF) on behalf of Ultra Motor UK from April
vehicle and bicycle industry. Mr. Benjamin has 2007 through June of 2008. She also worked as
extensive experience in product development the Director of Operations and Director of Sales
and sourcing from China, Taiwan and Europe. for the Light Transport Division (TidalForce
Consultant to electric vehicle builders, motor electric bikes) of WaveCrest Laboratories. She
companies, battery companies, motor controller has been involved in the light electric vehicle
companies, importers and distributors of small industry since 1998, beginning with the
electric vehicles. His previous senior CycleElectric International Consulting Group.
management employment was with Ultra She spent nearly 20 years working for Lauren
Motor, American Electric Cycle and Fitness, Manufacturing, an industrial components
WaveCrest Labs and EV Rider and 39 years supplier that derived more than half of its sales
experience in the USA bicycle industry. Mr. from transactions related to transportation.
Benjamin has a 1981 B.A. Education, University During her tenure at Lauren she visited
of Kentucky, USA, and speaks Mandarin level 3. hundreds of manufacturing plants across the
www.edwardabenjamin.com country and served in numerous capacities,
including personnel director, automotive
regional sales manager, national sales manager,
vice president of sales, and finally as president.
Kuropchak has a BA in sociology from North
Dakota State University and an MA in sociology
from Kent State University.
www.levassociation.com
LEVA Annual Membership Dues
Membership Categories:
• 50 USD – Individual (enthusiast or works for a dealer,
supplier or corporation, but not the owner); 1 vote
• 350 USD – Owner (retailer, dealer, manufacturer or
supplier) with 5 or less employees; 2 votes
• 1,000 USD – Company, small (a manufacturer,
assembler or seller of LEVs) with 6-100 employees); 3
votes
• 1,500 USD – Corporation, large (a manufacturer,
assembler or seller of LEVs) with over 100 employees;
5 votes
How to Join LEVA
Dues can be paid via credit card or Pay Pal on
our website at
http://levassociation.com/index.php?id=52)
or via wire transfer. Contact
[email protected] to request an
invoice or more information.
Thank you!
