Bike makers eye electric future
Honda, KTM, Piaggio and Yamaha collaborate to create a 'swappable battery consortium' for motorcyclesFour heavyweight global motorcycle manufacturers have partnered to ramp up efforts in the electrification of motorcycles and light electric vehicles.
Honda has announced it has signed a letter of intent with KTM, Piaggio and Yamaha Motor to create a swappable batteries consortium, which the group believes will promote the widespread use of electric motorcycles and light electric vehicles and contribute to a more sustainable management of batteries in the transport sector.
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The partnership will also seek to pool resources when it comes to development of batteries, thereby improving range, reducing charge times, and lowering vehicle and infrastructure costs.
The consortium will commence work in May 2021 and will seek "to define the standardized technical specifications of the swappable battery system for vehicles belonging to the L-category; mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles", while also developing international technical standards.
"The worldwide electrification effort to reduce CO2 on a global scale is accelerating, especially in Europe," said Noriaki Abe, Managing Officer, Motorcycle Operations, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
"For the widespread adoption of electric motorcycles, problems such as travel distance and charging times need to be addressed, and swappable batteries are a promising solution. Considering customer convenience, standardization of swappable batteries and wide adoption of battery systems is vital, which is why the four member manufacturers agreed to form the Consortium.
"Honda views improving the customers' usage environment as an area to explore cooperation with other manufacturers, while bringing better products and services to customers through competition.
"Honda will work hard on both fronts to be the 'chosen' manufacturer for customer mobility."
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