Summary
- Honda is expanding its battery-swapping service from Asia to Europe for two-wheeled vehicles like mopeds and scooters
- The automaker is testing the concept in Malmö, Sweden with Swedish scooter rental startup GoCimo for one year starting in February 2025
- The focus is on smaller modules rather than entire battery packs for cars and trucks, with modules being 1.5 kwh each
- Modules are charged on a rack and users check them out as needed, eliminating the need for home charging
- Honda will supply 30 EM1 scooters, 60 Mobile Power Pack batteries, and three Power Pack Exchanger swap stations for the test program in Sweden’s third-largest city.
Article
Honda is expanding its battery-swapping service from Asia to Europe, focusing on two-wheeled vehicles like mopeds and scooters. The automaker currently offers battery-swapping in Japan, India, Indonesia, and Thailand, and is now working with Swedish scooter rental startup GoCimo on testing the concept in Malmö, Sweden. The test program will utilize Honda EM1 scooters already sold in Europe and will look at the suitability of battery swapping for the European urban environment and business feasibility. Honda’s battery-swapping service uses smaller modules instead of entire battery packs for cars and trucks, with each Honda Mobile Power Pack module being around 1.5 kwh.
Honda’s battery-swapping service allows users to check out charged modules from a rack as needed, enabling urban residents to bypass home charging and providing a solution for cities where parking and space constraints limit streetside charging options. Consequently, Honda will supply GoCimo with 30 EM1 scooters, 60 Mobile Power Pack batteries, and three Power Pack Exchanger swap stations for the test program in Sweden’s third-largest city. Honda has been showcasing swappable-battery systems similar to this one since CES 2018 and has hinted at the potential use of swappable batteries in motorcycles as part of a consortium including Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha. The Mobile Power Pack format is planned for use in various electric products in the future.
The focus of Honda’s battery-swapping service in Europe will be on smaller vehicles like scooters and mopeds, as opposed to larger cars and trucks. The modules used in Honda’s battery-swapping service are designed to be more powerful than those used in other similar services, making them suitable for scooters and potentially small urban electric vehicles when used in multiples. These modules are charged on a rack and can be easily checked out by users as needed, allowing for convenient and efficient battery swapping without the need for home charging. This approach may prove to be a useful solution in European cities where parking and space constraints limit traditional charging options.
Honda’s partnership with Swedish scooter rental startup GoCimo for testing battery swapping in Malmö, Sweden, demonstrates the automaker’s commitment to expanding its innovative service to new markets. The one-year test program will assess the viability of battery swapping in the European urban environment and evaluate the business feasibility of the concept. By providing GoCimo with EM1 scooters, Mobile Power Pack batteries, and Power Pack Exchanger swap stations, Honda aims to gather valuable data and insights that will inform the potential future expansion of its battery-swapping service in Europe. This initiative aligns with Honda’s long-term goal of developing sustainable mobility solutions that enhance the overall user experience while reducing environmental impact.
Honda’s long-standing focus on developing swappable-battery systems, as evidenced by its participation in a consortium with other motorcycle manufacturers, demonstrates the company’s commitment to advancing innovative and sustainable transportation solutions. The Mobile Power Pack format, which will be used in various electric products in the future, highlights Honda’s dedication to incorporating cutting-edge technology into its offerings. By leveraging smaller battery modules and convenient swapping stations, Honda is poised to revolutionize the way urban residents approach charging and utilizing electric vehicles. As the automotive industry continues to evolve towards electrification, Honda’s battery-swapping service represents a forward-thinking approach that prioritizes convenience, efficiency, and sustainability.
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