Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity
Item 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq market under the symbol “EVTV.”
Holders
As of March 22, 2024, we had approximately 157 shareholders of record of our common stock. The actual number of stockholders is greater than this number of record holders and includes stockholders who are beneficial owners, but whose shares are held in street name by brokers and other nominees. The number of holders of record also does not include stockholders whose shares may be held in trust by other entities.
Dividend Policy
We have never declared or paid any dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate that we will pay any dividends to holders of our common stock in the foreseeable future. Instead, we currently plan to retain any earnings to finance the growth of our business. Any future determination relating to dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations and capital requirements as well as other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None
Repurchases of Equity Securities
We did not purchase any of our equity securities during the period covered by this Annual Report.
Item 6.
[Reserved]
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Item 7.
MANAGEMENT ’ S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates, beliefs and expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including, but not limited to, those discussed in Item 1 (Business) and Item 1A (Risk Factors) of Part I of this Annual Report.
Overview
We are a provider of purpose-built zero-emission electric vehicles focused on reducing the total cost of vehicle ownership and helping fleet operators unlock the benefits of green technology. We serve commercial and last-mile fleets, school districts, public and private transportation service companies and colleges and universities to meet the increasing demand for light to heavy-duty electric vehicles. Our vehicles address the challenges of traditional fuel price instability and local, state and federal regulatory compliance.
For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, we generated sales revenue of approximately $2.9 million and $4.5 million, respectively, and our net losses were $12.7 million and $43.8 million, respectively. The 2023 loss includes approximately $6.4 million of non-cash expenses, including a goodwill impairment charge of approximately $5.1 million.
Factors Affecting Our Performance
We believe that the growth and future success of our business depend on various opportunities, challenges and other factors, including the following:
•
Availability of government subsidies, rebates and economic incentives . We believe that the availability of government subsidies, rebates, and economic incentives is currently a critical factor considered by our customers when purchasing our zero-emission vehicles, and that our growth depends in large part on the availability and amounts of these subsidies and economic incentives. As an alternative to being dependent on such funding, however, we are exploring the possibility of leasing our vehicles to our customers as well.
•
New Customers. We are competing with other companies and technologies to help fleet managers and their districts/companies more efficiently and cost-effectively manage their fleet operations. Once these fleet managers have decided they want to buy from us, we still face challenges helping them obtain financing options to reduce the cost barriers to purchasing. We may also encounter customers with inadequate electrical services at their facilities that may delay their ability to purchase from us.
•
Dependence on external sources of financing of our operations. We have historically depended on external sources for capital to finance our operations. Accordingly, our future performance will depend in part upon our ability to achieve independence from external sources for the financing of our operations.
•
Investment in Growth. We plan to continue to invest for long-term growth. We anticipate that our operating expenses will increase in the foreseeable future as we invest in research and development to enhance our zero-emission electric vehicles; design, develop and manufacture our commercial fleet vehicles and their components; increase our sales and marketing to acquire new customers; and increase our general and administrative functions to support our growing operations. We believe that these investments will contribute to our long-term growth, although they will adversely affect our results of operations in the near term. In addition, the timing of these investments can result in fluctuations in our annual and quarterly operating results.
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•
Zero-emission electric experience. Our dealer and service network is not currently completely established, although we do have certain agreements in place. One issue they may have, and we may encounter, is finding appropriately trained technicians with zero-emission electric fleet vehicle experience. Our performance will depend on having a robust dealer and service network, which will require appropriately trained technicians to be successful. Because vehicles that utilize our technology are based on a different technology platform than traditional internal combustion engines, individuals with sufficient training in zero-emission electric vehicles may not be available to hire, and we may need to expend significant time and expense training the employees we do hire. If we are not able to attract, assimilate, train or retain additional highly qualified personnel in the future, or do so cost-effectively, our performance would be significantly and adversely affected.
•
Market Growth. We believe the market for all-electric solutions for alternative fuel technology, specifically all-electric vehicles, will continue to grow as more purchases of new zero-emission vehicles and as more conversions of existing fleet vehicles to zero-emission vehicles are made. However, unless the costs to produce such vehicles decrease dramatically, purchases of our products will continue to depend in large part on financing subsidies from government agencies. We cannot be assured of the continued availability, the amounts of such assistance to our customers, or our ability to access such funds.
•
Sales revenue growth from additional products . We seek to add to our product offerings additional zero-emission vehicles of all sizes to be marketed, sold, warrantied and serviced through our developing distribution and service network, as well as add other ancillary products discussed elsewhere in this report.
•
Third-party contractors, suppliers and manufacturers . We rely upon third parties to supply us with raw materials, parts, components and services in adequate quantity in a timely manner and at reasonable prices, quality levels, and volumes acceptable to us.
Components of Results of Operations
Sales
Sales are recognized from the sales of new, purpose-built zero-emission electric vehicles and from providing vehicle maintenance and safety inspection services. Sales are recognized in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, as discussed in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales includes those costs related to the development, manufacture, and distribution of our products. Specifically, we include in cost of sales each of the following: material costs (including commodity costs); freight costs; labor and other costs related to the development and manufacture of our products; and other associated costs. Cost of sales also includes costs related to the valuation of inventory due to impairment, obsolescence, or shrinkage.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses include all corporate and administrative functions that support our company, including personnel-related expense and stock-based compensation costs; costs related to investor relations activities; warranty costs, including product recall and customer satisfaction program costs; consulting costs; marketing-related expenses; and other expenses that cannot be included in cost of sales.
Consulting and Research and Development Costs
These expenses are substantially related to our external consulting and research and development activity.
Goodwill Impairment Charge
In accordance with ASC 350-20 "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other - Goodwill", an impairment test is required at least annually or when a triggering event occurs. An impairment charge is recorded when our fair value is less than the carrying value of our net assets.
Other Income/Expenses, Net
Other income/expenses include non-operating income and expenses, including interest income and expense.
Provision for Income Taxes
We account for income taxes in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 740 “Income Taxes,” which requires the recognition of deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under ASC 740, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period the enactment occurs. A valuation allowance is provided for certain deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that we will not realize tax assets through future operations. Because we have incurred only losses to this point, no provision for income taxes has been made in 2023 and 2022.
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Results of Operations
The following discussion compares operating data for the year ended December 31, 2023 to the data for the year ended December 31, 2022:
Sales
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
$ Change
% Change
Sales
$
2,862,853
$
4,504,621
$
(1,641,768
)
-36
%
Sales were approximately $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Sales for the year ended December 31, 2023 consisted of 24 logistic cargo vans sold primarily to customers in New Jersey and California through the states incentives programs, 2 cab and chassis trucks sold to other customers. Sales for the year ended December 31, 2022 consisted of 58 logistics cargo vans and trucks sold primarily to customers in New Jersey who utilized vouchers from the NJ ZIP program, 5 cab and chassis trucks sold to FAR distributors and other customers and three used buses. Sales decreased primarily due to, among other things, less favorable market demand.
Cost of Goods Sold
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
$ Change
% Change
Cost of goods sold
$
1,857,273
$
2,772,673
$
(915,400
)
-33
%
Cost of sales related to the sales revenue described above were approximately $1.86 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, which resulted in gross profit of $1.01 million and a gross margin percentage of 35%, compared to approximately $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, which resulted in gross profit of $1.73 million and a gross margin percentage of 38%. The decrease in gross margin percentage was primarily due to higher outbound freight costs in 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.
Operating Expenses
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
$ Change
% Change
General and administrative
$
8,171,344
$
7,996,906
$
174,438
2
%
Consulting
213,930
339,505
(125,575
)
-37
%
Research and Development
236,181
149,912
86,269
158
%
Goodwill impairment charge
5,098,784
37,093,047
(31,994,263
)
N/A
Total operating expenses, net
$
13,720,239
$
45,579,370
$
(31,859,131
)
451
%
1 Includes stock-based compensation expense as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
$ Change
% Change
Stock-based compensation expense
$
1,322,577
$
1,614,845
$
(292,268
)
(18
)%
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 were $8,171,344, compared to $7,996,906 for 2022 General and administrative expenses increased slightly by $174,438 primarily due to higher payroll costs due to additional hiring of certain key management positions and higher rent expense due to our Philippines warehouse that was rented starting in 2023, partially offset by lower bad debt expense and stock-based compensation expense.
Consulting
Consulting expenses were $213,930 for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $339,505 for 2022, The decrease in consulting expenses was primarily due to a decrease in costs related to public affairs consulting, partially offset by increased search costs for key employees.
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Research and Development
Research and development expenses were $236,181 for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $149,912 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increased expense in 2023 was due to the development of new product lines.
Goodwill Impairment Charge
Based on the annual impairment test, we recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $5,098,784 and $37,093,047 as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
Other Income (Expense)
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
$ Change
% Change
Interest income, net
$
34,835
$
45,026
$
(10,191
)
(23
)%
Other (expense) income, net
(4,155
)
(1,764
)
(2,391
)
136
%
Total other income
$
30,680
$
43,262
$
(12,582
)
(29
)%
Interest income, net consists primarily of interest earned on short-term investments, partially offset by interest expense on debt. Interest income, net decreased by $10,191 in 2023 compared to 2022, primarily due to lower balances on our short-term investments during 2023.
Other (expense) income, net consists of miscellaneous non-operating items.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of $456,719 and working capital of $10,282,613. We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund our present operations during the next 12 months and beyond. However, we may not successfully execute our business plan, and if we do not, we may need additional capital to continue our operations and support the increased working capital requirements associated with the fulfillment of purchase orders.
In February 2022, we moved into an approximately 580,000 square foot facility in Osceola, Arkansas. This facility is the site of our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and new corporate offices. However, additional debt and/or equity capital will be required in order to purchase related equipment and set up production lines and is expected to require up to $80 million of additional investment through 2027. Investments and employee hiring requirements over the next 10 years will provide an opportunity for us to obtain local tax incentives granted to the Company of up to $27 million, provided that the qualifying expenditures are made. We are not currently contractually obligated to make the expenditures.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
Cash flows used in operating activities
$
(4,245,100
)
$
(7,432,087
)
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities
2,306,833
5,507,719
Cash flows (used in ) provided by financing activities
(430,481
)
(156,690
)
Net change in cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents
$
(2,368,748
)
$
(2,081,058
)
Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $4,245,100, primarily due to a net loss of $12,683,979, partially offset by changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of $1,857,884 and non-cash operating charges of $6,580,995, of which $5,098,784 was related to a non-cash goodwill impairment charge and $1,322,577 was related to non-cash stock-based compensation expense. The changes in operating assets and liabilities, net was due to an increase in accounts receivable of $1,360,660 as cash collections outpaced sales, a decrease of $1,529,545 in inventory deposits, a decrease in prepaid expenses of $298,798, an increase in accounts payable of $111,838 partially offset by an increase in inventory of $1,159,267 as we ramp up for future growth in sales, an increase in other non-current assets of $72,230, an increase in other current assets of $21,806 and a decrease in accrued liabilities of $189,654.
Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $7,432,087, primarily due to a net loss of $43,804,160 and changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of $2,668,276, partially offset by non-cash operating charges of $39,040,349, of which $37,093,047 was related to a non-cash goodwill impairment charge and $1,614,845 was related to stock-based compensation expense. The changes in operating assets and liabilities, net was due to an increase in inventory of $1,820,785, an increase in accounts receivable of $890,880, a decrease in accrued liabilities of $305,065, an increase in inventory deposits of $326,854 and a decrease in other non-current liabilities of $2,427, partially offset by an increase in accounts payable of $365,284 and a decrease in prepaid expenses of $325,638 and an increase in other assets of $143,270.
We expect cash used in operating activities to fluctuate significantly in future periods as a result of a number of factors, some of which are outside of our control, including, among others: the success we achieve in generating revenue; the success we have in helping our customers obtain financing to subsidize their purchases of our products; our ability to efficiently develop our dealer and service network; the costs of batteries and other materials utilized to make our products; the extent to which we need to invest additional funds in research and development; and the amount of expenses we incur to satisfy future warranty claims.
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Investing Activities
Net cash provided by investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2023 was $2,306,833, primarily due to the sale of our marketable securities of $2,342,643, partially offset by $35,810 of capital expenditures. Net cash provided by investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2022 was $5,507,719, primarily due to the net sale of our marketable securities of $5,676,302, partially offset by $168,583 of capital expenditures.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2023 was $430,481 as a result of repayment of certain notes payable. Net cash used by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2022 was $156,690, primarily from the issuance of common stock of $120,000, partially offset by payments on notes payable of $276,690.
Line of Credit
Effective August 4, 2022, we secured a line of credit from Centennial Bank. Borrowings under the line of credit bear interest at 2.75% annually. There is no maturity date for the line, but Centennial Bank may at any time, in its sole discretion and without cause, demand that we immediately repay any and all outstanding obligations under the line of credit in whole or in part. The line is secured by the cash and cash equivalents maintained by us in our Centennial Bank accounts. Borrowings under the line may not exceed cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities balances up to $1,000,000. There was no principal amount outstanding on December 31, 2023 and the line of credit was closed in 2023.
Capital Expenditures
We do not have any contractual obligations for ongoing capital expenditures at this time. We do, however, purchase equipment necessary to conduct our operations on an as needed basis and will begin increasing those expenditures as we transfer assembly and corporate functions to the Osceola Arkansas facility.
Contractual Obligations
Other than as disclosed in the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report, we have no contractual obligations.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We did not have during the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC.
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Indemnification Agreements
As we have generated sales, we have provided customers with indemnification of varying scope against claims of intellectual property infringement by third parties arising from the use of our products. We do not estimate the costs related to these indemnification provisions to be significant and are unable to determine the maximum potential impact of these indemnification provisions on our future results of operations. In addition, we have directors and officers liability coverage to further mitigate our indemnification exposure. No demands have been made upon us to provide indemnification and there are no claims that we are aware of that could have a material effect on our consolidated balance sheet, consolidated statement of operations, or consolidated cash flows.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, costs and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our financial statements. We base our estimates on historical experience, known trends and events and various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Our actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
We define our critical accounting policies as those accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America that require us to make subjective estimates and judgments about matters that are uncertain and are likely to have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations as well as the specific manner in which we apply those principles. No critical accounting policies existed at December 31, 2023.
Smaller Reporting Company Status
We are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act. We may continue to be a smaller reporting company if either (i) the market value of our shares held by non-affiliates is less than $250 million or (ii) our annual revenue is less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our shares held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter. We may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not smaller reporting companies, including reduced disclosure about our executive compensation arrangements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13 Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASC 326”). This standard replaced the incurred loss methodology with an expected loss methodology that is referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) methodology. CECL requires an estimate of credit losses for the remaining estimated life of the financial asset using historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts and generally applies to financial assets measured at amortized cost, such as accounts receivable. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.