Mark Hanchett of Atlis Motor Vehicles

September 11, 2020 thetechtribune

An exclusive Tech Tribune Q&A with Mark Hanchett, the founder and CEO of Atlis Motor Vehicles, which was honored in our:

Tell us the origin story of Atlis Motor Vehicles – what problem were you trying to solve and why?

It started as a project to create an electric pickup truck. All others were focused on luxury cars, and I saw an opportunity to work on a segment of the market that was rapidly growing and had a clear gap. As I got further into the process, charge times and battery technology were the major holdup. So rather than focusing on the vehicle itself, we decided to focus on developing a battery technology solution that could drive die-hard gas and diesel owners from a “no” to a “yes” on electrification. I wanted to not just build a vehicle that played in the market, but also one that could truly change the world and be a massive leap forward in performance and ownership experience.

What was the biggest hurdle you encountered in your journey?

Doubt. Doubt is the biggest hurdle we face, and we cannot let it hold us back.

What does the future hold for Atlis?

We are not just a vehicle manufacturer. Our company is focused on 3 business units, with an intention to drive all of these opportunities across energy, platform technology, and vehicles into a holistic solution for customers who use their vehicles for work.

What are your thoughts on the local tech startup scene in Mesa?

It’s a fantastic place to start – we are close to technology hubs along the west coast, cost of living is low, and opportunity is high.

What’s your best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Don’t wait. If you think you have a great solution to a key problem in any market, test it, dive in, and start working towards a solution. If it doesn’t work, take what you’ve learned, pivot, and keep marching forward.