Not enough information to determine whether this is a good performing bike or a good value or just using lower cost componentry to hit a price point. It is highly unlikely that this bike will be a Dash twin at half the cost. I'm not knocking this bike as it may have appeal to a certain market segment that is cost conscious, not cycle saavy enough to appreciate the performance of better componentry, or those whose riding requirements are met by the offering.
Interbike was showing a lot of utility e-bikes with baskets, platforms, enclosures, and even folding ebikes. It all adds up to an expanding product category......a good thing for consumers.
I've talked to a few oem/odm manufacturers and there is a wide gamut of configurations available for quality, price, performance, and style. As ebike demand grows, the field will become more and more crowded. Plus, as the market matures, the financially weak companies will fail, the upstarts that have demand will be acquired, and price points will come down.
I worry about the LBS as they face unrelenting margin erosion from online dealers and even online vendors. There is even some experimentation going on in the bike industry with vendors voicing interest in direct sales.