Why Orbis. Why Now.
Nearly 30 years after the introduction of the first modern electric vehicle, EVs represent just 1% of the automobiles on the road. Even with the most favorable EV projections, the world still faces a transportation emissions gap that will add gigatons of CO2 to the atmosphere every year.
With consumers, manufacturers, and regulators all demanding faster, more efficient EV solutions, Orbis Electric came to a revolutionary conclusion-
The hurdle to EV adoption isn’t the vehicle — it’s the parts
We reinvented the wheel to deliver EV for everyone
Orbis Electric is the designer and creator of automotive parts engineered to radically accelerate the global conversion to electric vehicles. Our guiding principle is hyper-efficiency, resulting in affordable solutions that bring both immediate and lasting benefits to consumers, OEMs, and the planet itself.
Our patent-protected, industry-tested, regulation-certified EV solution transforms any internal combustion vehicle — from passenger light-duty vehicles to Class 8 heavy-duty semis — into a plug-in hybrid or battery electric, with zero unsprung weight penalty.
TEAM
Orbis Electric was founded by people with extensive experience and obsessive interest in design innovation, energy efficiency, and real-world solutions.
MARCUS HAYS Founder, CEO + CTO
Marcus is an electric vehicle veteran, dating back to the early days of the influential CALSTART Advanced Transportation Hatchery in Burbank, CA. His pursuit of innovative partnerships resulted in collaborations with Lee Iacocca, Dr. Paul MacCready, the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, Argonne National Labs, and most recently with NASA. He holds multiple patents in electric vehicle powertrains, related automotive components, and clean-power technologies. Marcus designed and built the first electric motorcycle to set two land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats (2006 & 2007) and races a vintage Mini Cooper in his spare time. He was educated as a Transportation Design Major at the Pasadena Art Center and is a veteran of the US Navy.
CHANCE CLAXTON Co-Founder, President + CBO
Chance brings a demonstrated history with sustainable consumer goods and start up enterprises to her position at Orbis Electric. She handled international product sourcing and vendor relations for Design Within Reach, served as Co-Founder and President of waste-free food packaging pioneer U-Konserve, and as CEO for environmental health solutions company BiOAID Inc. Skilled in marketing and brand management, product development, business planning, advertising, and e-commerce, Chance welcomes Orbis Electric’s mission of combining high-performance automotive innovation with working environmental solutions.
ALLEN PARROTT Chief Financial Officer
Allen’s career in global finance and operations has produced extensive experience in technology, logistics, industrial manufacturing, and government contracting across both public and private equity owned organizations, including leadership positions at Hewlett Packard, Precision Castparts Corp, CEVA, and Crane Worldwide Logistics. In addition to his skills in restructuring, debt management, and capital raise, Allen excels as a team builder and culture leader, bringing the optimization mindset of logistics to the mission-driven goals of Orbis Electric.
SCOTT STREETER Co-Founder, Manufacturing Manager
Scott provides exacting manufacturing experience to Orbis Electric as owner of TrueForm Design & Manufacturing in Santa Rosa, CA. His education forged a combination of graphic design, welding, and machining apprenticeship, and Scott went on to develop extensive expertise in precision CNC machine shop services, overseeing the complete design, fabrication, machining and manufacturing process utilizing a variety of materials across multiple industries. A company co-Founder, Scott’s work with Orbis Electric returns him to his lifelong fascination with all things automotive.
Brad Knop Chief Operating Officer
Brad has more than 35 years of financial and operations experience specializing in start-ups, including CEO, COO, and CFO positions at a variety of companies. As the founding partner of Propeller Industries, Brad performed all aspects of the CFO function for over 75 early-stage companies in sectors ranging from technology to business services to consumer goods. Prior leadership roles include COO/EVP of website builder liveBooks, CEO of electric bike pioneer Xtracycle, and General Manager of Starmedia Broadband.
ETHAN DANIEL Director of Engineering
Ethan is a mechanical engineer and automotive enthusiast with a passion for real-world solutions. He graduated from Northeastern University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Industrial Engineering, and has compiled significant experience with SolidWorks, Creo and AutoCAD, as well as building, testing and repairing cars and their components. Ethan honed his engineering and leadership skills as president of Northeastern Electric Racing, including leading development of the automotive brake system with a focus on reliability, low cost, and rules compliance.
ADVISORY BOARD
Clifford Samuel
Clifford Samuel, Principal at PCMS1 Consulting, advises large caps, start-ups, and NGOs on issues surrounding the access and distribution of life-saving medicines in emerging markets and low- and middle-income countries. He offers 30+ years of commercial leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, with more than two decades at Gilead Sciences in leadership roles across sales, managed markets, and global commercial operations. Clifford brings a deep understanding of the global regulatory, distribution, and licensing landscape to his role with Orbis Electric.
Susan Gladwin
Susan is a business executive and entrepreneur with unique collective expertise in technology, market strategy, and climatetech. Her work spans leadership roles at large brands, including Apple and Autodesk, and advising early stage climatetech companies including renewable energy financer 10Power, and electric vehicle incentivizer EVLife. A frequent speaker, published author, and former faculty member at the CCA MBA in Design Strategy, Susan is currently a Senior Consultant to the U.S. Department of Energy, Loan Programs Office.
Kent Bakke
Kent serves as president of the Historical Electric Vehicle Foundation, a nonprofit organization created to preserve and promote the EV experience, helping empower the next generation to pursue a more sustainable future. He started his career in Seattle as an entrepreneur in the burgeoning U.S. coffee culture, importing espresso coffee machines. In 1994, Kent created an LLC partnership and purchased the La Marzocco espresso machine company of Florence, Italy, and led the company as CEO through global expansion into 90+ countries with 9 Branch offices.
Larry Brilliant
Larry is a renowned epidemiologist, technologist, and philanthropist, credited for leading the global eradication of smallpox and polio with the World Health Organization. He co-founded the Seva foundation treating blindness, led Google’s worldwide philanthropy efforts, serves as a CNN Medical Analyst, and was named to TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People 2008. Larry is currently Senior Counselor for The Skoll Foundation, which catalyzes transformational change by investing in, connecting, and championing social innovators to advance bold and equitable solutions to the world’s most pressing problems.
Mark Cunningham
Mark is an active investor, operator, and developer of major U.S. real estate properties, including ground-up renovation and build-to-suit projects for clients including Jiffy Lube, Camping World, Rite Aid, and Planet Fitness. Mark brokered more than $2 billion worth of transactions in his career as real-estate broker and has been an active investor in early-stage bio science and technology companies. An avid philanthropist, Mark has served as an advisor or board member for several non-profit organizations.
