Gogoro Brings Battery-Swapping Smartscooters To The Philippines
Taiwanese company Gogoro will bring battery-swapping electric scooters to the Philippines. On Tuesday, it said three companies would help launch a B2B battery swapping pilot in Manila.
These include Filipino telecoms provider Globe, conglomerate Ayala Corporation, and corporate venture builder 917Ventures.
This action is part of the country’s Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act, which promotes clean energy technologies.
How would the Gogoro B2B tests work?
Photo Credit: techcrunch.com
Gogoro enables motorcycle riders to convert their vehicles for its battery-swapping network. The bikes would have a slot under the driver seat that houses an electric battery.
Unlike conventional EVs, riders would not need to plug power cables into outlets. Instead, they would head to stations to swap their depleted battery for fully charged ones.
Then, the rider would insert their old battery into designated charging slots. Later, other riders could use those to refuel their vehicles.
Gogoro’s system works with its Smartscooters but integrated its technology with electric bikes in China and India.
Yet, it struggled to turn the Philippines into a new market as two-wheelers were not popular back then.
Fortunately, the country recently removed import duties on electric vehicles and their components for the next five years.
Many Filipino riders use electric motorcycles from Indian and Chinese manufacturers nowadays. As a result, they would have a smooth transition into Gogoro’s upcoming system.
The rise of delivery and logistics services further facilitates its market expansion. Consequently, the Taiwanese firm focuses on a business-to-business (B2B) pilot for these industries.
At the time of writing, we do not know the delivery provider that would start the B2B project with Gogoro.
Founder and CEO Horace Luke said its local partner Ayala Corp. has a delivery service named AC Logistics.
He added that his company would send hundreds of Smartscooters, batteries, and six swapping stations throughout Manila for delivery riders.
Luke said the current gas prices and logistics rider trend serves as an opportunity for Gogoro to demonstrate its potential in the Philippines.
Conclusion
“We see this solution being most beneficial to a densely populated region like Metro Manila, ” said Patrick Aquino, the Energy Utilization Management Bureau director.
“The success of this pilot will pave the way for a new sustainable business model in other cities in the country as well. The Philippines can learn from Taiwan’s experience.”
The country is undergoing a digital transformation, so you should respond by understanding the trends. Start by reading more Inquirer Tech articles.
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