Consortium for interchangeable motorcycle batteries officially launched
After signing the Memorandum of Understanding on March 1, HONDA Motor Co., KTM F&E GmbH, Ltd., PIAGGIO Group (PIA.MI) and YAMAHA Motor Co., Ltd., officially signed the agreement to establish the Consortium for Interchangeable batteries for motorcycles (Swappable Batteries Motorcycle Consortium, SBMC).
The founding members of the Consortium believe that a jointly developed system of interchangeable batteries is the key to the development of low-voltage electromobility. That is why they are committed to promoting the widespread use of light electric vehicles such as mopeds, scooters, motorcycles, three-wheelers and quadricycles in the transportation sector. In addition, the SMBV members want to work together for a more sustainable management of the life cycle of batteries in the context of international climate policy.
The underlying goal of the consortium is to find solutions to concerns customers may have about the future of electromobility, such as range, charging time and infrastructure, and costs. This will be achieved through four primary goals:
- Develop common technical specifications of the interchangeable battery systems
- Confirm shared use of the battery systems
- Standardize and promote the consortium's common specifications within European and international certification bodies
- Extend the use of the consortium's common specification to the global level
Working closely with interested stakeholders and national, European and international certification bodies, the founding members of the consortium will be involved in the development of international technical standards. After all, the availability of charging stations varies from country to country and there is still little information for end users. That is why HONDA, KTM, PIAGGIO and YAMAHA want to use this consortium to involve decision makers in the development and implementation of charging infrastructure to promote the increase in light electric vehicles.
The four founding members encourage all interested stakeholders to join the collaboration to enrich the consortium's expertise and thus ensure wide dissemination of standard interchangeable batteries in the future. Those interested in joining the SBMC can contact one of the founding members for further information.
Yoshishige Nomura, Chief Officer, Motorcycle Operations, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.: “Honda believes that the large-scale introduction of electric motorcycles can play an important role in achieving a more sustainable society. To do this, we need to solve several challenges, such as increasing range, reducing charging time and reducing vehicle and infrastructure costs to increase convenience for customers. In the consortium we have established, founding members from the motorcycle industry and other stakeholders will work together to standardize interchangeable batteries, their charging systems and the surrounding infrastructure to create the environment in which they can be used. Our end goal is to ensure that motorcycles will continue to be chosen as a useful mode of transportation in the future.”
Stefan Pierer, CEO PIERER Mobility AG (KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas): “The signing of this consortium agreement is an important step to ensure that PIERER Mobility AG can continue to move forward, innovate quickly and advance its clear strategic vision on electric two-wheelers. Together with our partners we will work on an interchangeable battery system for low-voltage vehicles (48V) with a capacity up to 11kW, based on international technical standards. We look forward to motorized two-wheelers continuing to play their role in both urban and non-urban mobility in the future.”
Michele Colanino, head of strategy and product development of the Piaggio group: “Urban mobility is going through a delicate moment of transition to electrification. Thanks to our consortium, in which four major global players are represented, motorcycles will continue to play a key role in the urban context. Interchangeable batteries provide the right answer to accelerate vehicle charging time and offer users an additional valuable choice. Urban mobility is part of our DNA and Piaggio's history. Our goal is to bring all our technological know-how and our sense of innovation to the Consortium.”
Takuya Kinoshita, Senior Executive Officer, Chief General Manager of Land Mobility Business Operations, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd: “The Swappable Batteries Motorcycle Consortium in Europe is finally ready to get started. I hope this first step forward will be a beacon that attracts like-minded parties to our mission and will lead to transformative changes for the future. We at Yamaha Motor are confident that with this initiative we can help unify the various technical specifications and standards and contribute to maximizing the benefits of electric energy for customers around the world.”
Also to read
Team HRC Honda to Portugal with Tim Gajser as the only rider
The 2024 MXGP World Championship kicks off the first of three straight races this weekend in Agueda, Portugal for the fifth round in this exciting battle. The next weekend it will…VIDEO: Roger De Coster about communication with the riders
In a video interview with Roger De Coster, the difficult start of the KTM boys in the US is discussed. It's about the set-up of the engines and how everyone...An update on Tyla van de Poel's injury
Tyla van de Poel crashed during the EMX125 in Arco di Trento and broke his tibia and fibula. Another pilot hit his front wheel on a ski jump, causing him to...Jago Geerts: “I want to come back to Lommel”
Jago Geerts is working hard to bounce back from an injury he sustained in early March during the opening race of the 2024 MXGP World Championship in Argentina. The Belgian, who at…
Your reactions