The Walk With Raffa | Kevin Chalhoub and the Purpose-Driven Retail: Ethics, Sustainability, and Growth EV Lab is a pioneering multi-brand retail as a service concept built on three key pillars: mobility, sustainability, and design.

In today's business landscape, fostering responsible and ethical practices is a strategic need. In this discussion, we explore actionable insights for retailers looking to embrace greater responsibility, integrate sustainable practices, and leverage cutting-edge technologies to build brands and businesses that stand for both purpose and profitability.

Kevin, let's talk about EV Lab. What is the concept behind it?

EV Lab is a pioneering multi-brand retail as a service concept built on three key pillars: mobility, sustainability, and design. Our first showroom, located in Dubai One Central, serves as an experiential space showcasing a diverse range of electric mobility solutions. Our portfolio spans electric cars, motorbikes, scooters, hydrofoil surfboards, electric boats, and solar-powered yachts, alongside charging solutions and sustainable tires. By offering a carefully curated cross-category selection, we are pioneering the future of transportation through innovation, accessibility, and sustainability.

EV Lab's Electric Mobility Experience Center offers a unique opportunity to test drive top-brand electric vehicles, all in one convenient location. Visitors can save time learning about the best electric car models available in the UAE and test driving a curated selection in one space. Expert e-Visors provide personalized guidance on purchasing, renting, or leasing EVs, ensuring a seamless experience. Visitors can also explore Silent Yachts and Marian Electric Boats, with e-Visors available to facilitate factory visits and purchases.

The transportation sector is one of the highest-impact industries globally in terms of environmental footprint. From fuel generation, storage, and transportation to noise pollution and emissions, mobility contributes significantly to ecological concerns. A recent study by The Spatial Organization of Transportation and Mobility highlights that the transportation sector, across all modes, accounts for approximately 25% of global CO2 emissions. In advanced economies such as the United States, this figure rises to around 28%.

EV Lab is addressing these challenges as pioneer in sustainable mobility solutions, curating a diverse range of electric vehicles with cutting-edge technology and a human-centric approach. Our designs are sleek and minimal, utilizing durable yet lightweight materials such as titanium and carbon fiber to enhance efficiency and performance.

Source: EV Lab

Let's dive into product innovation. What key features can users expect, both in terms of user experience and structural design?

The state-of-the-art technology embedded in our vehicles enhances both safety and convenience. User-friendly features include voice recognition, auto parking, seamless connectivity, and advanced entertainment options—such as a 16.3-inch screen with a 260,000-color display and smart background luminance control.

On a structural level, NIO's proprietary battery-swapping technology is a game-changer. It enables users to exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones in minutes, addressing one of the biggest challenges faced by EV owners: long charging times. Similarly, Novus motorbikes are designed with a unique carbon fiber monocoque frame, which serves as both the load-bearing structure and the exterior shell. This eliminates the need for additional fairings and results in a frame that is lighter, more rigid, and visually striking compared to conventional steel or aluminium designs. Manta Foils is redefining water mobility with high-tech eFoils featuring the market's largest battery capacity (up to 90 min) and a wingfoil conversion kit for versatile riding. Safety and accessibility are also prioritized with a rear stabilizer designed without sharp edges and the most affordable eFoil with a handlebar.

On the road, Continental EV tires are engineered for the unique demands of electric vehicles. Reinforced structures and advanced rubber compounds reduce wear from high torque and added weight, while optimized grip shortens braking distances. Minimal rolling resistance enhances energy efficiency, extending range and reducing emissions.

Our solar-electric Silent catamaran is another prime example of innovation. The drivetrain integrates seamlessly with onboard systems, offering superior efficiency compared to fossil-fuelled motor yachts. With fewer moving parts, the electric powertrain requires minimal maintenance, delivers maximum reliability, and significantly reduces operating costs.

Additionally, we provide flexible ownership and usage options. Through our app, registered customers can rent or purchase electric vehicles through our app. Additionally, individuals looking to sell their EVs can list them on our platform. Users can also explore leasing options by contacting our team directly and browse EVs for purchase with filters for price, brand, acceleration, and range.

You mentioned multiple vehicle types and brands. How do you select product categories and brands?

Our approach includes a rigorous scouting process to identify potential brands and products, ranging from limited editions to scalable production models. We engage brands with an exclusive retail proposition. Once agreements on space allocation, display duration, marketing support, and sales strategy are finalized, we onboard the products, ensuring seamless integration into our retail ecosystem. Our professional staff undergoes in-depth training covering product features, brand storytelling, and customer engagement to deliver a premium, tailored experience. Additionally, we provide continuous performance insights to brands, helping them refine their market approach based on real-time customer interactions.

For instance, test-driving vehicles is a core aspect of our offering, allowing customers to experience first-hand the safety, performance, and convenience of our products. Our retail model ensures continuous product innovation and rotation. For example, we have a limited stock of McLaren scooters available in-store, but customers can order any color available by Pure Electric. For electric vehicles from brands like NIO and Lotus, we offer a streamlined customization process. Customers interested in purchasing or exploring specific configurations can tailor their EV selection down to trim levels, interior colors, rim sizes, and other details. We then communicate these preferences directly to the brand, saving customers the time and effort of visiting multiple dealerships to check availability.

Source: EV Lab

How is EV Lab multi-brand retail model structured?

EV Lab's innovation extends beyond the products to its business model. We have introduced a Retail as a Service (RaaS) model, which involves defining the showroom's purpose, objectives, and key values that all featured products must align with—such as movement, sustainability, carbon and energy efficiency, ergonomics, design, and technological innovation. In this way, EV LAB's creates a collaborative environment where multiple businesses can showcase their products within a shop-in-shop, temporary or permanent, concept.

Customers have the unique opportunity to test drive a variety of top-brand electric vehicles all in one convenient space, eliminating the need to visit multiple locations. A team of expert e-Visors is on hand to guide customers, offering personalised advice on buying, renting, or leasing electric vehicles that suit your needs.

The experience centre is designed to be fun and engaging, with interactive elements that make it enjoyable for customers, children, and families alike. Beyond EVs, visitors can explore micro-mobility products like eFoils, chargers, and tyre solutions. Additionally, they can explore Silent Yachts, where the e-Visors can plan factory visits and Marian Electric Boats and facilitate purchases, all within the Experience Centre.

People who want to explore EV Lab before or after our showroom visit, can download our app (both on App Store or Google Play) and visit www.ev-lab.io.

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