Derek W. Bailey is following in the tracks of a true pioneer in the automotive industry. His inspiration comes from C.R. Patterson, a remarkable figure born into slavery in 1833. According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, little is known about Patterson’s early life, including whether he purchased his freedom or escaped. Despite these challenges, Patterson became a free man and pursued blacksmithing, which led him to carriage-making. He made history by establishing C.R. Patterson & Sons after becoming the sole proprietor of a business previously started with J.P. Lowe. Patterson became the first Black automaker in the United States, and now Bailey is carrying the torch of innovation.
“He was actually born before the Emancipation Proclamation. He built a car company in that period and time,” Bailey told WSB-TV. “Black men have been doing great things throughout history.”
Bailey is making his mark as the owner of Derek Automotive, based in Atlanta, GA. Through its subsidiaries, the company offers a range of electric vehicles including various e-bikes, and the AVANI E4 SU. The company is dedicated to reducing global carbon emissions, and its vehicles offer an innovative feature: they can be charged while being driven, eliminating the exclusive reliance on charging stations, according to the company’s website.
“To me, of all the electric car brands, there’s Tesla, and everything else is a Tesla, too. To me, they’re all Tesla ‘toos,'” he told Fox 5 Atlanta. “So I certainly didn’t want to be a Tesla 13.”
Derek Automotive’s product offerings include the Exceeder, a logistics vehicle designed to improve fleet efficiency and reduce operating costs. “Our vision is to allow fleets to go electric effortlessly and be ahead of the inevitable rush to go electric. Exeeder will help businesses to reduce cost on fuel, maintain higher profit margins, and add more convenience in their transition to electric-drive,” the company’s description states.
Bailey has also released several e-bikes, including the Electric Blade, Electra Zipline L1 eBike, and Electra eBiz Delivery Bike. The 2024 model of the AVANI E4 SU incorporates artificial intelligence to manage the vehicle’s battery packs, made possible through its proprietary “Loop-Gen” technology. This system works with fuel to recharge its patented Proteus generator.
“In short, the Proteus system will be able to replenish kWs as fast as they are consumed in driving the vehicle. We acknowledge that there’s no such thing as cars having perpetual motion, but our new vehicles will be as close to free energy as can be,” according to a statement on the automaker’s website.
