Founders
Benzina Zero (which is Italian for Zero Fuel) is at the forefront of a global shift to electric vehicles. Our vehicles enable the sustainable movement of both people and goods through a concise portfolio of products whilst satisfying a wide range of customer needs and business requirements.
“We believe that the humble scooter is the real hero in the world of two wheels”
Joe D’Ercole - Chief Battery Charger
Joe is an entrepreneur, property developer, business designer, constructor, commercial strategist, automotive engineer, and corporate networker. He has strong credentials in successfully conceiving new businesses, developing commercial concepts, and visualising future areas of strong commercial opportunity, in Australia and overseas.
Starting in 2000, Joe built a chain of premier motor scooter businesses. As managing director of Scooterlife Australia, Joe strategically launched multiple branded outlets to become the largest scooter retailer in Australia. Joe pioneered a new business concept to become the first scooter retailer in Australia to sell Honda scooters outside of the Honda dealer network, paving the way for other brands to fundamentally change how scooters were sold.
Ben Silver - Chief Plugger-Inner
Ben joined Joe as General Manager of Scooterlife Australia in 2005. Under Ben's leadership the business expanded with more retail outlets to become the biggest retailer of scooters in Australia. Scooterlife Australia was recognised with multiple retail awards and represented all major brands including Vespa, Piaggio, Aprilia, Honda, Kymco, Sym and more.
In 2011, Ben moved to a small regional town with his family to explore sustainable living concepts with a keen interest in low impact off-grid residential projects. Ben went on to be awarded Best National Sales Manager for GM Holden 4 years in a row during his management tenure in an automotive dealership.
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Together, Joe and Ben fundamentally changed how people moved in Queensland with in excess of 18,000 scooters sold through Scooterlife Australia. With the rising urgency of the climate crisis facing the world, Ben and Joe wanted to make a difference for the future generations as they both have young children.
With their extensive knowledge of the industry, Ben and Joe understood how electric scooters would provide the perfect vehicle for the sustainable movement of people and goods on a global stage.