ACEM

Swappable Battery Consortium

At last there is progress on an issue that was set to plague efforts by the motorcycle (and wider PTW/powersports) industry to secure a foothold in the evolution of future transport markets and infrastructure developments.
Addressing an issue that we here at MotoWEEK and IDN Magazine and many other observers have pointed to, KTM/Husqvarna, Honda, Yamaha and Piaggio Group (Vespa, Moto Guzzi, Aprilia) have signed a 'Letter of Intent' for the creation of a Swappable Battery Consortium for motorcycles and light electric vehicles.

Michele Colaninno, Chief of Strategy and Product at Piaggio Group: "A strengthened cooperation among manufacturers and institutions will allow the industry to better respond to the main challenges of the future of mobility."

It is an issue that affects all manufacturers, including those not yet singing from this song sheet.
In motorcycle terms, the numbers sold annually mean that only concerted action on the issue of power source will allow the industry to achieve a viable critical mass. Without it, consumers will find it ever more difficult to take their motorcycle enthusiasms forward, and ever more difficult to see two wheels as a viable option in the future.
A common swappable battery platform may not sound like a big deal, but in the real world of consumer convenience, choice and lifestyles, it really is. In the same way as the Connected Motorcycle Consortium's efforts to secure motorcycles' viability in a Level 4 and Level 5 connected vehicle landscape, so too the issue of a swappable common power source is of critical importance.
Though being initially discussed in the European context, this is something that needs an "all in or none in" global approach. As Stefan Pierer of KTM said: "the founding members of the Consortium believe that the availability of a standardised swappable battery system would both promote the widespread use of electric motorcycles and light vehicles and contribute to a more sustainable lifecycle management of batteries used in the transport sector.
"By extending the range, shortening the charging time and lowering vehicle and infrastructure costs, the manufacturers will be trying to answer to customers' main concerns regarding the future of electromobility.

Stefan Pierer, KTM: "A widespread application of batteries compliant with a common standard will support secondary use as well as a circular economy."

"The aim of the Consortium will, therefore, be to define the standardised technical specifications of the swappable battery system for vehicles belonging to the L-category: mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles. By working closely with interested stakeholders and national, European and international standardisation bodies, the founding members of the Consortium will be involved in the creation of international technical standards.
"For powered two-wheelers, the constraints of electric drivetrains regarding range, charging time and initial cost are still evident. To overcome these challenges and provide a better customer experience, a swappable battery system based on international technical standards will become a viable solution. 

At a corporate level at least, Honda is probably the most advanced in terms of its investments and preparations for an electric future. Noriaki Abe, Managing Officer Motorcycle Operations, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., said: "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 the entire lifecycle, a widespread application of batteries compliant with a common standard will support secondary use as well as circular economy. We are glad to be part of the Consortium as we strive towards our goals in the e-mobility sector."
This is a view shared by all four of the manufacturers. Yamaha Executive Officer Takuya Kinoshita, Chief General Manager of Motorcycle Business Operations, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., Michele Colaninno, Chief of Strategy and Product at Piaggio Group and Noriaki Abe, Managing Officer Motorcycle Operations, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. all echoed Pierer's remarks and confirmed their commitment to the plan.
The Consortium will start its activity in May 2021. The four founding members encourage all interested stakeholders to join the cooperation to enrich the Consortium's expertise.

Yamaha Executive Officer Takuya Kinoshita: "I believe the creation of this Consortium holds great significance not just for Europe, but the world. The technical specs and standards that currently differ by regional characteristics or the state of the industry in different markets will be unified."

 

Standardised Charging Labels
Another example of something so simple that one would have thought would have been blindingly obvious from the get-go is the charging infrastructure labelling initiative recently announced by ACEM.
"A brand-new harmonised set of labels for electric vehicles and charging stations will start to be used throughout Europe as of 20th March this year, in line with the requirements of the EU Directive on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (2014/94/EU).
"As well as appearing on charging stations, the labels will be placed on all newly produced electric mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles, quadricycles and cars, as well as on vans, trucks, buses, coaches - in a clear and visible manner. The aim is to help consumers identify the right recharging option for their battery electric and plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles by harmonising labelling across the entire EU."