A Perth-founded e-motorbike company is targeting a $12 million capital raising to bring its innovative design to international markets.

Savic Motorcycles, founded by Dennis Savic while he was studying engineering at The University of Western Australia, has already raised $5 million in seed funding, and hopes to find a further $2 million before year's end.

The funds would help bring the company’s C- Series electric motorbike – which can hit 100 kilometres an hour in just 3.5 seconds and holds a range of more than 200km – to the European market.

Mr Savic started the company in 2016, and several bikes have already been delivered.

“We’ve received more than 240 pre-orders for the C-Series bikes,” Mr Savic said.

And the first three customer vehicles have been delivered, including some in Perth.

“A big part of motorbikes is that people fall in love with how it looks so we’ve really focused on a timeless style that doesn’t age,” Mr Savic said.

He said he always envisioned his bike becoming a Tesla on two wheels, evidenced through the business taking a direct-to-consumer approach pioneered by Tesla.

“We’ve decided that a direct-distribution model works for us and we’re looking to build that infrastructure globally over the next few years moving beyond our existing showrooms in Melbourne and Perth,” Mr Savic said.

“There’s been a big lag in the market when it comes to electric motorcycles. But as more Australians become aware of EV technology, we see a huge opportunity for us.

“Many of our pre-orders are from customers who already have a petrol motorbike and want to add an electric one to their collection, or for those wanting to use them as a commuter vehicle but don’t want a scooter.”

The C-Series currently retails at $26,990 for the high-end model, and $19,990 for the ‘delta’ model, which delivers a slightly reduced range (150km) and power (0-100km/h in 4.5s).

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CREDITS: Sam Jones