It takes a special kind of tenacity to venture into uncharted territory. For Scorpio Electric’s CEO Joshua Goh that tenacity has been the driving force behind Singapore’s first electric motorcycle company.
What began as a series of determined attempts by his automotive entrepreneur father, Melvin Goh, to secure government approval for their revolutionary vision evolved into a relentless four-year pursuit.
“Unfortunately, there were no standards for public road prototype testing before, so it took years of persistent follow-ups and lobbying to convince the authorities we were serious. There was something surreal about all those government officials being in one boardroom at the same time then,” recalls Goh.
In August, Scorpio Electric became the first Singapore company to receive a special purpose licence from the Land Transport Authority to test its electric X1 Maxi-Scooter on public roads. It was a huge win. For Goh, aged 34, however, there was never a moment of doubt. “I knew we would win one way or another. It was only a matter of time.”
A family’s legacy
This unflagging determination is second nature. The first time we met at the company’s Teban Gardens headquarters, he exuded effortless confidence. His passion for automotives runs deep. Having grown up surrounded by automotives, one of Goh’s earliest memories involved sitting on the hood of a Lamborghini Diablo when he was three years old.
His grandfather, Goh Lue Tee of Gay Hin Enterprise, ran a motor workshop in Jalan Besar in the 1960s. Under his father’s stewardship, the company grew into EuroSports Global, a public-listed luxury supercar dealership comprising mainly brands such as Lamborghini and Touring Superleggera.
A consummate salesman, his outgoing father believed in building relationships for the long-term, wining, dining, and going the extra mile for his clients. In a nutshell, it was the cornerstone of Euro Sports Global’s slogan, “Walk in as a customer, walk out as a friend”.
As the eldest of two, Goh was raised with the belief that discipline and hard work were essential. His father once threw out his computer after catching him gaming for hours, emphasising the importance of focusing on his studies. “Good discipline translates into everything in life,” Goh reflects.
He mulled over whether to step into the family business over the years, but “never had a strong answer” and so considered various career opportunities, such as becoming a doctor, fighter pilot, or joining the military. Eventually, he graduated from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, in 2014 with a degree in finance and accounting.
During his early years in investment banking, corporate advisory, and judicial management, he learned the value of differentiation. In addition, he realised that in business, one cannot stand out if one does not have a personal brand or competitive advantage. His relentless work ethic—early starts, networking, and late nights—set him apart.
Goh’s persistence goes beyond stubbornness; it’s strategic. “I am doggedly persistent in achieving something. It doesn’t mean I’m mad. A mad person will do something over and over again and expect a different result each time. I analyse the situation and then find multiple solutions to address the problem. Even if it’s not the right solution today, it might be the right solution tomorrow.”
This ethos became a defining characteristic of his family business when he joined in 2017. Goh handled operations, strategic planning, and business development at EuroSports Global Limited. After leading a new Jeep distribution business venture in Indonesia, which was halted by the pandemic, Goh transferred to Scorpio Electric in 2020, the start-up founded by his father. In 2021, he became deputy CEO and took over as CEO the following year.
A New Dawn
Founded in 2017, Scorpio Electric is named after Melvin Goh’s horoscope and represents the company’s ambitious passion to steer ahead and, as its slogan aptly describes, “Take Charge”.
A major part of Scorpio Electric’s origins stems from the entrepreneurial spirit that drives change, including evolving the family company into an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), with a bold move into electric motorcycles—an opportunity that comes along once in a generation.
With South-east Asia’s motorcycle market being among the largest globally, the father-son duo identified an opportunity that aligned with the global trend towards electrification and sustainability. Enter the unveiling of its flagship model Scorpio Electric X1 Maxi-Scooter. “Think of it as an SUV on two wheels.
Maxi scooters are typically the choice of luxury buyers. You must have one if you want to flex. It is larger, more comfortable, and has more road presence. This is a premium product all around,” Goh explains.
With its avant-garde design, single-sided swing arm, and automotive-grade charger, the X1 aims to excite the imagination. In addition to its top speed of 105km/h and its range of 200km, it is a connected vehicle that allows users control functions via an app. Scorpio Electric is even developing an AI framework to customise vehicle performance based on rider behaviour.
Goh also points out that the company is on track to mass-produce and deliver its first maxi scooters by 2025. The X1 will be assembled by Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD. Since participating in Esposizione Internazionale Ciclo Motociclo e Accessori, the top international motorcycle show, in Milan last November, pre-orders have been strong.
Its customers are primarily motorcycle enthusiasts in Europe and South-east Asia who want a unique product to add to their stable of four or five other motorcycles. Currently, the electric motorcycle market is dominated by small Chinese models. Billed as an aspirational brand to appeal to eco-conscious urban individuals, the Scorpio Electric X1 is expected to cost approximately 10,000 euros (S$14,700, tax-free).
As the global electric motorcycle market is forecast to take off massively in the next five years, Goh believes the company is poised for fast growth. It will have a fleet of electric motorcycles ready by then, ranging from luxury models to affordable mid-range models for the average consumer, he implies, hinting at desert terrain models for the Middle East.
Scorpio Electric intends to leverage on EuroSports Global’s strong distribution experience and work closely with partners to set up direct sales and distribution channels within the Asia-Pacific and Europe.
Complex challenges such as supply chain development, talent acquisition, and regulatory hurdles have to be overcome when developing a new product. Additionally, the nascent charging infrastructure, high upfront costs, and consumer unfamiliarity have slowed adoption of electric motorcycles.
Even so, Goh powers on. In our rapidly urbanising region—where environmental concerns are pressing—it’s more than just about building electric motorcycles. The goal is to steer towards a cleaner, smarter, and more environmentally friendly future.
“It wasn’t a case of, ‘Hey, you are entitled to this position’.
Joshua on working for his father, Melvin Goh
I had to prove myself over the years, and that provenance
is also due to him being extra hard on me.”
A personal look
When asked about working with his father, Goh reflects on his pragmatic approach. “It wasn’t a case of, ‘Hey, you’re entitled to this position’. I had to prove myself over the years, and that provenance is also due to him being extra hard on me,” he explains. As a matter of fact, all family members involved in the business are held to this high standard, including his sister, who assists with marketing, and his uncle, who manages the distributorship of luxury cars.
One of the most valuable lessons Goh learned from his dad is that “it must make sense for you, as it would for others”. By observing his interactions—how he negotiates, handles relationships, and thinks long-term—Goh saw the importance of finding common ground in negotiation and the value of strong emotional intelligence.
To stress-test ideas and initiatives, he sometimes plays devil’s advocate, adding that he wasn’t hired as a “yes man”. In contrast to his dad, he has a Cancer horoscope, but shares that he’s not big on horoscopes. Rather, he relates more to his Myers-Briggs Personality Type ESTP, also known as the entrepreneur type.
Goh’s dogged persistence even extends beyond the boardroom. He had always wanted a motorcycle licence since university, but his father “vehemently objected”. A few years ago, he finally obtained his motorcycle licence, believing that he needed to put himself in the shoes of a rider to better understand motorcycle dynamics. Pulling up his trouser leg, he reveals a scar he sustained while riding.
Today, the former competitive go-kart racer prioritises an active lifestyle. His day begins at 6.30am with CrossFit training, a routine he adopted to get healthy during the pandemic after gaining unsustainable weight. By 9am, he’s in the office and wraps up by 7pm, unless he has dinner with stakeholders.
He mentions his “side quest” to achieve proficiency in weightlifting and adds that he recently reached a milestone by snatching 100kg. It’s a stark contrast to his drinking and clubbing days.
He says the routine grounds him, especially since he hasn’t had much time for a break due to his busy schedule. However, he did call a time-out last December, when he and his girlfriend travelled to New Zealand with his younger sister and her husband. His close friends, many of whom are start-up founders and business owners, are also a great source of support.
For Goh, motorcycles are the ultimate source of adrenaline, freedom, and the feeling of being alive. “The first time you ride one is an exhilarating experience. You’re exposed to the elements, your body is pumped, and your senses are heightened. Unfortunately, I can’t buy other bikes now—I can only ride Scorpio Electric,” he jokes.
Besides being a core value for Scorpio Electric, sustainability is also a personal commitment. “It means being able to do something repeatedly over time, as well as communicating progress and change to our customers,” he says. “Being able to drive change in the business is not just a once-in-a-generation opportunity, but a privilege. I strive every day to achieve this goal and to fly the Singapore flag high.”
Photography Joel Low
Styling & Art Direction Chia Wei Choong
Hair Rick Yang/Artistry Studios, using Keune
Makeup Keith Bryant Lee, using Dior Beauty
Photography assistant Eddie Teo
Styling assistant Julia Mae Wong
