Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

v3.23.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The Company’s most significant estimates and judgments involve deferred income taxes, provision for credit losses, warranty liability, write downs and write offs of obsolete and damaged inventory and valuations of share-based compensation, warrant liability, convertible note derivative liability and earnout share liability. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences could be material to the Company’s financial statements.

Segment information

ASC 280, Segment Reporting, defines operating segments as components of an enterprise where discrete financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision-maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company operates as a single operating segment. The Company’s CODM is the Chief Executive Officer, who has ultimate responsibility for the operating performance of the Company and the allocation of resources. The CODM uses Company forecasts, a financial and operations dashboard, and cash flows as the primary measures to manage the business and does not segment the business for internal reporting or decision making.
Concentrations of credit risk

As of March 31, 2023, two customers accounted for 31% and 18% of the Company’s total accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2022, two customers accounted for 40% and 25% of total accounts receivable. The net sales to the following customers comprised more than 10% of revenues for the periods presented.

Three Months Ended March 31,
2023 2022
Net Sales % of Revenue Net Sales % of Revenue
Customer A $ 830  23  % $ —  —  %
Customer B 788  22  % —  —  %
Customer C —  —  % 1,478  27  %
Customer D —  —  % 1,965  36  %
Customer E —  —  % 720  13  %
Total of customers with sales greater than 10% $ 1,618  45  % $ 4,163  76  %
Total of customers with sales less than 10% 1,948  55  % 1,249  24  %
Gross Revenue $ 3,566  100  % $ 5,412  100  %
Customer refunds(1)
(2,255) — 
Total Revenue, net of customer refunds $ 1,311  $ 5,412 

(1)    Customer refunds are related to the recall for certain 2021-2022 model year FE4-129 vehicles (“ZEV4”) that were manufactured with Romeo Power Systems, Inc (“Romeo”) battery packs. See section “Revenue Recognition” below for more detail concerning the accounting treatment and the section “Warranties and Recall Campaigns” for more detail on the recall.

Concentrations of supplier risk

As of March 31, 2023, one supplier accounted for 21% of the Company’s total accounts payable. As of December 31, 2022, two suppliers accounted for 20% and 15% of the Company’s total accounts payable. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, two suppliers accounted for 18% and 14% of inventory purchases. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, one supplier accounted for 13% of inventory purchases.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash held in banks and in money market funds. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are placed with high-credit-quality financial institutions and issuers, and at times exceed federally insured limits. To date, the Company has not experienced any credit loss relating to its cash and cash equivalents. The carrying value of the cash equivalents approximates fair value, which represents a Level 1 input.

Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded at invoiced amounts, net of discounts, and allowances. The Company grants credit in the normal course of business to its customers. The Company periodically performs credit analyses and monitors the financial condition of its customers to reduce credit risk. The Company reduces the carrying value for estimated uncollectible accounts based on a variety of factors including the length of time receivables are past due, economic trends and conditions affecting the Company’s customer base, and historical collection experience. Specific provisions are recorded for individual receivables when the Company becomes aware of a customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations. The
Company writes off accounts receivable when they are deemed uncollectible. The following table details the change in the allowance for credit losses for the periods indicated:

Three Months Ended March 31,
2023 2022
Balance at beginning of period $ 2,028 $ 3,349
Credit loss expense 961 48
Deductions
Balance at end of period $ 2,989 $ 3,397

Inventories

Inventories consist of raw materials, work in progress, and finished goods and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined on the average cost method. A valuation adjustment is made to inventory for any excess, obsolete or slow-moving items based on management’s review of on-hand inventories compared to historical and estimated future sales and usage profiles.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful asset lives. Leasehold improvements are stated at cost and amortized on the straight-line basis over their estimated economic useful lives or the lease term, whichever is shorter. Costs of enhancements or modifications that substantially extend the capacity or useful life of an asset are capitalized and depreciated accordingly. Ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is included in the consolidated statements of operations in “Cost of revenues”, “Research and development” and “Selling, general and administrative.” When property is retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the consolidated balance sheets and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is reflected in “Other income, net.” The estimated useful lives of the Company’s major classes of property and equipment are as follows:

Major Class of Property and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives
Machinery and equipment 7 years
Vehicles 5 years
Leasehold improvements 5 years
Computer equipment 3 years
Software 3 years
Furniture and fixtures 7 years

Impairment of long-lived assets

Long-lived assets to be held and used in the Company’s operations are evaluated for impairment when events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of a long-lived asset or asset group is less than the undiscounted cash flows from its use and eventual disposition over its remaining economic life. The Company assesses recoverability by comparing the sum of projected undiscounted cash flows from the use and eventual disposition over the remaining economic life of a long-lived asset or asset group to its carrying value, and records a loss from impairment if the carrying value is more than its undiscounted cash flows. Assets or asset groups to be abandoned or from which no future benefit is expected are written down to zero in the period it is determined they will no longer be used and are removed entirely from service. There were no impairments of long-lived assets recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.
Revenue recognition

Revenue Summary

The following table disaggregates revenue by major source:

Three Months Ended March 31,
2023 2022
ZEVs $ 3,222 $ 5,179
Other 344 233
Gross Revenue $ 3,566 $ 5,412
Customer refunds(1)
(2,255)
Total Revenue, net of customer refunds $ 1,311 $ 5,412

(1) Customer refunds are related to the recall for ZEV4 vehicles that were manufactured with Romeo battery packs.

The Company manufactures and sells ZEVs, such as delivery vans and buses. The Company manufactures ZEVs by removing the internal combustion engine and certain associated components (collectively, “decontented parts”) and installing and integrating its internally-developed, zero-emission powertrain into a vehicle chassis supplied by original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) partners or from the customer. At times, the Company also installs and integrates its zero-emission powertrains into a used vehicle chassis supplied by the customer (“repower”).

The Company recognizes revenue at a point in time when its performance obligation has been satisfied and control of the ZEV or zero-emission powertrain is transferred to the customer, which generally aligns with shipping terms. Contract shipping terms include ExWorks (“EXW”), “FOB Shipping Point” and “FOB Destination” all as defined in the Incoterms. Under EXW (meaning the seller fulfills its obligation to deliver when it makes goods available at its premises, or another specified location, for the buyer to collect), the performance obligation is satisfied and control is transferred at the point when the customer is notified that the ZEV is available for pickup. Under “FOB Shipping Point,” control is transferred to the customer at the time the good is transferred to the shipper and under “FOB Destination,” at the time the good is delivered to a customer’s specified delivery location. At times, the Company sells ZEVs that require additional upfitting from a third party before the final sale to the customer. The Company is acting as the principal in such transactions and revenue is recognized on a gross basis.

Other revenue primarily includes the sale of stand-alone zero-emission powertrains, charging systems, engineering consulting services, telematics and analytics subscription services and decontented parts. Revenue for zero-emission powertrains, chargers and decontented parts is generally recognized based on contract shipping terms. At times, chargers may be drop shipped directly to the customer from the manufacturer, in which revenue is recognized at the time of shipment. The Company is acting as the principal in such transactions and revenue is recognized on a gross basis. Services are recognized as revenue over time as either percentage of completion (i.e. engineering service contracts) or as the service is transferred to the customer (i.e. telematics and analytics subscription services).

The Company made an accounting policy election to account for any shipping and handling costs that occur after control has transferred to the customer as fulfillment costs that are accrued to cost of revenues at the time control transfers. Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are initially recorded in deferred revenue and recognized as revenue once shipping is complete.

The Company often applies for governmental funding programs, including California’s Hybrid and Zero Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (“HVIP”), on behalf of its customers for ZEV sales. Generally, as a condition of the program, the amount billed to the customer must be reduced by the amount that will be funded by the government program, and the Company will receive the funds directly from the government program. However, the discount to the customer is contingent upon the Company’s receipt of the funding. Revenue is recognized on the gross amount of the ZEV at the time substantially all of the conditions of the government program required of the Company have been met and control of the ZEV has transferred to the customer based on shipping terms.

The following economic factors affect the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of the Company’s revenue and cash flows as indicated:
Type of customer: The Company’s sales are directly to commercial fleet customers, OEMs, governments and dealers.
Type of contract: Sales contracts are for goods or services. The majority of contracts are short term (i.e., less than or equal to one year in duration).

Significant Payment Terms

None of the Company’s contracts have a significant financing component. Any cash that is received prior to revenue recognition is deferred as deferred revenue (a contract liability) until the good is delivered or service is rendered. Payment terms are identified when the contract has commercial substance and collectability of consideration is probable. The Company generally utilizes payment terms of a twenty percent deposit once a contract is executed with the remainder due upon receipt.

Contract Liabilities

Contract liabilities relate to payments received in advance of performance obligations under the contract and are realized when the associated revenue is recognized under the contracts. The Company’s contract liabilities consist of customer deposits and deferred revenue, of which current amounts are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and long-term amounts are included in “Other long-term liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheets. Changes in contract liabilities are as follows:

Balance as of December 31, 2022
$ 794 
Revenues recognized (520)
Increase due to billings 623 
Balance as of March 31, 2023
$ 897 

Returns and Refunds

Based on our standard terms and conditions, consideration paid for goods and/or services that customers purchase from the Company are nonrefundable. Therefore, at the time revenue is recognized, the Company does not estimate expected refunds for goods or services, nor does the Company exclude any such amounts from revenue.

However, during the quarter ended March 31, 2023 and as special consideration to those customers impacted by the Romeo battery recall, the Company extended an offer to allow a return and refund for the affected ZEV4s. The Company applied a reserve for estimated refunds based on known pending refunds and reduced sales in the current quarter accordingly. The Company initially recorded, on a gross basis, a refund liability in the amount of $5,037 and inventory in the amount of $2,171. The total refund liability associated with ZEV4 recalls was $3,228 as of March 31, 2023, which is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. In some instances, the refund paid to customers exceeded the original transaction price and value of goods to be received (“Accommodation”), representing consideration payable to the customer. The Company recorded the Accommodation as an asset and will derecognize the asset as a reduction to the future revenues that will be recognized from orders placed by that customer, which were associated with the Accommodation. During the quarter ended March 31, 2023, the Company recorded an Accommodation in the amount of $611 and this amount is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company expects the Accommodation asset to be derecognized over the remainder of the year ended 2023 as orders associated with the Accommodation are completed and gross revenue is recognized.

Transaction Price

The transaction price of a contract is the amount of consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring promised goods to a customer. Transaction prices do not include amounts collected on behalf of third parties (e.g., sales taxes). Sales taxes collected on sales are recorded as a sales tax liability and are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities.”

To determine the transaction price of a contract, the Company considers its customary business practices and the terms of the contract. For the purpose of determining transaction prices, the Company assumes that the goods and/or services will be transferred to the customer as promised in accordance with existing contracts and that the contracts will not be canceled,
renewed, or modified. The Company’s revenue terms do not include retrospective or prospective volume discounts, rights of return, rebates, performance bonuses or other forms of variable consideration.

The Company’s contracts with customers have fixed transaction prices that are denominated in U.S. dollars and payable in cash.

Future Performance Obligations

The Company has applied the practical expedient to exclude the value of remaining performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original term of one year or less and (ii) contracts for which the Company recognizes revenue in proportion to the amount it has the right to invoice for services performed (i.e. analytical data subscription services).

As of March 31, 2023, the Company had remaining performance obligations related to a non-cancellable (other than for a breach by the Company) minimum-quantity purchase commitment. The customer is obligated to purchase a fixed number of ZEVs through December 31, 2023. The Company estimates that the future revenues associated with this contract (based on estimated orders from the customer) will be $10,500 in 2023. The timing of the revenue associated with these estimates will change if the ZEVs are commissioned and/or shipped subsequent to the year in which they were ordered, as revenue will not be recognized until control of the ZEV transfers to the customer based on the purchase order shipping terms.

As of March 31, 2023, the Company also had $206 of remaining performance obligations related to unsatisfied extended warranty performance obligations the Company expects to recognize ratably from approximately September 2027 through August 2030.

Costs to Obtain or Fulfill a Contract with a Customer

The Company has elected the practical expedient to expense contract acquisition costs, which consist of sales commissions, which are reported within “Selling, general and administrative” expenses.

Warranties and Recall Campaigns

Warranties

All ZEVs that customers purchase from the Company are covered by five-year and 60-thousand-mile limited product warranties. At the time revenue is recognized, the Company estimates the cost of expected future warranty claims and accrues estimated future warranty costs based upon the history of warranty claims. The Company periodically reviews the adequacy of its product warranties and adjusts, if necessary, the warranty estimate and accrued warranty liability for actual historical experience. The warranty liability is included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and the cost of warranties is included in “Cost of revenues.”

At times, the Company may sell its ZEVs with an extended product warranty, with coverage beyond the five-year and 60-thousand-mile limited standard warranty. The Company considers these extended warranties to be separate performance obligations. The consideration allocated to the extended warranty is deferred and recognized over the term of the extended warranty. The Company’s deferred revenue associated with extended warranties is currently all classified as long-term within “Other long-term liabilities.”

Recall Campaigns

The Company records product recall reserves when a liability is probable and the related amounts are reasonably estimable.

On December 16, 2022, the Company initiated a voluntary recall for certain 2021-2022 model year Lightning eMotors ZEV4 vehicles due to multiple software and hardware discrepancies internal to the Romeo battery packs installed in the ZEV4 series vehicles. The affected vehicles may fail to operate in cold temperatures, fail to start, or may lose traction power while driving, increasing the risk of an accident. Romeo has been formally notified of the recall; however, Romeo has not reached a solution to honor their battery warranty. See Note 13 under the section “Legal Proceedings”. The Company’s current remedy is to either replace the ZEV4 manufactured with Romeo battery packs with updated ZEV4 models manufactured with Proterra battery packs or to refund full value of the purchase price to the customer. The Company will seek to recover the costs and expenses associated with the recall from Romeo.
On March 27, 2023, the Company initiated a voluntary recall for certain model year 2020 FT3-43, 2019-2022 FT3-86, 2020 FE4-86 and 2019-2021 FE4-129 vehicles equipped with eMatrix battery packs. Defective structural welds and internal radiator leaks have been found in the battery packs which may result in isolation faults and cell imbalances. The affected vehicles may lose traction power, increasing the potential for collisions or experience a thermal runaway which could result in vehicle fires. The Company is currently working with eMatrix, the battery manufacturer, to develop a remedy for the structural welds and internal radiator leaks. Because the remedy is still being developed, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate a range of the potential losses associated with the recall.

Fair value, measurements, and financial instruments

A fair value hierarchy was established that prioritizes fair value measurements based on the types of inputs used for the various valuation techniques (market approach, income approach, and cost approach). The Company’s financial assets and liabilities are measured using inputs from the three levels of the fair value hierarchy. The three levels of the hierarchy and the related inputs are as follows:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company can access at the measurement date.
Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

An asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on one or more of the following three valuation techniques:

Market approach: Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Cost approach: Amount that would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost).
Income approach: Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present value amount based upon market expectations (including present value techniques, option pricing and excess earnings models).

The Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, however, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date. The Company’s recurring fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 discussed below contain significant unobservable inputs. A change in those significant unobservable inputs could result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement at the reporting date.

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, warrant liabilities, long-term debt, derivative liabilities and earnout liabilities. The carrying value of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of those instruments.

Long-term debt is not presented at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets, as it is recorded at carrying value, net of unamortized debt discounts. However, the 7.5% $100,000 convertible senior note (the “Convertible Note”) has an embedded conversion option accounted for as a derivative liability, which is presented at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the Convertible Note, including the conversion option, was $49,167 and $58,155 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The Company’s term note and working capital facility (“Facility”) had an outstanding term note with a principal amount of $3,000 as of both March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 and a fair value of $3,106 and $3,125 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated balance sheets.

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
As of March 31, 2023
Financial assets
Cash equivalents $ 31,768  $ —  $ — 
Financial Liabilities    
Warrant liability $ —  $ —  $ 54 
Derivative liability —  —  26 
Earnout liability —  —  1,859 
As of December 31, 2022
Financial assets
Cash equivalents $ 51,351  $ —  $ — 
Financial Liabilities    
Warrant liability $ —  $ —  $ 60 
Derivative liability —  —  78 
Earnout liability —  —  2,265 

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had cash equivalents held in a money market account. The Company has concluded that due to the highly liquid nature of the money market account, the carrying value approximates fair value, which represents a Level 1 input.

As a result of the Business Combination, the Company assumed the liability associated with the Gig warrants. The Company accounts for the warrants as liabilities at fair value with subsequent changes in fair value recorded in the statement of operations for each reporting period. The fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model (“BSM”) where the share price input represents the Company’s stock price as of the valuation date. The BSM is a commonly-used mathematical model for pricing an option or warrant. In particular, the model estimates the variation in value over time of financial instruments. The fair value measurements are considered Level 3 measurements within the fair value hierarchy.

The Company estimates the fair value of its derivative liability associated with the Convertible Note at each reporting date, as well as at each conversion date. The Convertible Note and embedded conversion option are valued using a Binomial Lattice Model designed to capture incremental value attributed to the conversion options in addition to the value of the Convertible Note. The value of the Convertible Note without the conversion feature is valued utilizing the income approach, specifically the discounted cash flow method. Cash flows are discounted utilizing the U.S. Treasury rate and the credit spread to estimate the appropriate risk-adjusted rate. The conversion feature utilizes the Company’s stock price as of the valuation date as the starting point of the valuation. A Binomial Lattice Model is used to estimate a credit spread by solving for a premium to the U.S. Treasury rate that produces a value of the Convertible Note. As of issuance, the value of the Convertible Note and warrants related to the Convertible Note were set to equal $100,000 to solve for the credit spread which is then updated quarterly. The fair value measurements are considered Level 3 measurements within the fair value hierarchy.

As a result of the Business Combination, the Company recognized additional earnout shares with performance conditions as a liability measured at fair value with subsequent changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statement of operations for each reporting period. The earnout shares are valued using the Company’s stock price as of the valuation date. The valuation methodology used is a Monte Carlo Simulation model (“MCS”) utilizing a Geometric Brownian motion process to capture meeting the various performance conditions. MCS is a technique that uses a stochastic process to create a range of potential future outcomes given a variety of inputs. Stochastic processes involve the use of both predictive assumptions (e.g., volatility, risk-free rate) and random numbers to create potential outcomes of value. MCS assumes that stock prices take a random walk and cannot be predicted; therefore, random number generators are used to create random outcomes for stock prices. The fair value measurements are considered Level 3 measurements within the fair value hierarchy.
The Company’s non-financial assets, which primarily consist of property and equipment, are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis and are reported at carrying value. However, on a periodic basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be fully recoverable, these along with other non-financial instruments are assessed for impairment and, if applicable, written down to and recorded at fair value.

Beneficial conversion features

The Company followed the beneficial conversion feature guidance in ASC 470-20, Debt with Conversion and Other Options, which applies to redeemable convertible preferred stock and convertible debt. A beneficial conversion feature is defined as a nondetachable conversion feature that is in the money at the commitment date.

The beneficial conversion feature guidance requires recognition of the conversion option’s in-the-money portion, the intrinsic value of the option, in equity, with an offsetting reduction to the carrying amount of the instrument. The resulting discount is amortized as interest over the life of the instrument. When there is a subsequent change to the conversion ratio based on a future occurrence, the new conversion price may trigger the recognition of an additional beneficial conversion feature on occurrence.

As a result of the Business Combination, the unamortized portion of the beneficial conversion feature was recorded to additional paid-in capital.

Stock-based compensation

The Company accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, under which share based payments that involve the issuance of common stock to employees and non-employees and meet the criteria for equity-classified awards are recognized in the financial statements as share-based compensation expense based on the fair value on the date of grant. The Company issues stock option awards and restricted stock unit awards to employees and non-employees.

The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes model to determine the fair value of the stock option awards, which requires the input of subjective assumptions. These assumptions include estimating (a) the length of time grantees will retain their vested stock options before exercising them for employees and the contractual term of the option for non-employees (“expected term”), (b) the volatility of the Company’s common stock price over the expected term, (c) expected dividends, and (d) the fair value of a share of common stock prior to the Business Combination. After the closing of the Business Combination, the Company’s board of directors determined the fair value of each share of common stock underlying stock-based awards based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock as reported by the NYSE on the date of grant. The Company has elected to recognize the adjustment to share-based compensation expense in the period in which forfeitures occur.

The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model are management’s best estimates, but the estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment (see Note 10). As a result, if other assumptions had been used, the recorded share-based compensation expense could have been materially different from that recorded in the financial statements.

Warrants and Warrant liabilities

As a result of the Business Combination, the Company assumed the liability associated with the Gig warrants. The Company accounts for the warrants for shares of the Company’s common stock that are not indexed to its own stock as liabilities at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. The warrants are subject to remeasurement at each balance sheet date and any change in fair value is recognized as a “(Gain) loss from change in fair value of warrant liabilities” in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company will continue to adjust the liability for changes in fair value until the earlier of the exercise or expiration of the common stock warrants. At that time, the portion of the warrant liability related to the common stock warrants will be reclassified to “Additional paid-in capital”.
Research and development

Research and development costs are primarily expensed when incurred and consist of personnel-related expenses including salaries, benefits, travel and stock-based compensation for personnel performing research and development activities; expenses related to materials, supplies and testing; and consulting and occupancy expenses. In addition, costs for certain property and equipment utilized for research and development are capitalized and depreciated to “Research and development” over the useful life of the asset based on the property and equipment policy discussed above.

Advertising

Advertising costs are expensed when incurred and are included in “Selling, general and administrative” expenses and total $214 and $116 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Derivative Liability

The Company accounts for the embedded conversion feature of the Convertible Note as a derivative liability. Pursuant to ASC 815-15, Derivatives and Hedging – Embedded Derivatives, the embedded conversion feature meets all three criteria to be bifurcated and accounted for separately from the host instrument, i.e., the Convertible Notes. Because this feature meets all criteria of a derivative instrument, it was accounted for and recorded as a derivative liability at fair value on the Company’s balance sheet with subsequent changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statement of operations each reporting period.

Earnout Liability

As a result of the Business Combination, the Company recognized additional earnout shares as a liability. Pursuant to ASC 805, Business Combinations, the initial fair value of the earnout shares was recorded as a liability with the offset going to additional paid-in capital and with subsequent changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statement of operations for each reporting period. The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the earnout liability measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):

Three Months Ended March 31,
2023 2022
Balance at beginning of period $ 2,265  $ 83,144 
(Gain) loss (406) (6,172)
Balance at end of period $ 1,859  $ 76,972 

Income taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax basis of other assets and liabilities. The Company provides for income taxes at the current and future enacted tax rates and laws applicable in each taxing jurisdiction. The Company uses a two-step approach for recognizing and measuring tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and disclosures regarding uncertainties in income tax positions. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense in the consolidated statement of operations.

Earnings per share

Basic earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) are computed by dividing net earnings (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS attributable to common shareholders is computed by adjusting net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding (if dilutive) during each period. Potential common shares include shares issuable upon exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards. Anti-dilutive securities are excluded from diluted EPS.

The Company applies the treasury stock method to account for the dilutive impact of its options, warrants and restricted stock units and the if converted method for its Convertible Note.
Recent accounting pronouncements issued and adopted

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13 related to the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments and has since modified the standard with several ASUs (collectively, the “credit loss standard”). The credit loss standard requires a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. The credit loss standard took effect for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. As amended in ASU 2019-10, for smaller reporting companies, the credit loss standard will take effect for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this ASU will require a cumulative-effect adjustment to accumulated deficit as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (that is, a modified-retrospective approach). The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2023, and this ASU did not have a material impact to the Company’s financial statements.