The big issue with battery swapping has always been the cost of the infrastructure. If there are to be enough batteries in circulation, this would require enormous investment by a manufacturer.
If every company used a different battery type, it would be both expensive and wasteful. However, if a battery in a docking station fits multiple bikes, it becomes more viable. Considering customer convenience, standardisation of swappable batteries and wide adoption of battery systems is vital, which is why the four member manufacturers agreed to form the Consortium, says Noriaki Abe, Managing Officer of Honda’s motorcycle operations. 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.
Honda, Yamaha, KTM, And Piaggio Are Working Together On Standardized Swappable Electric Motorcycle Batteries
Image: Honda
On Monday Honda, Yamaha, KTM, and Piaggio all signed a letter of intent to set up a swappable batteries consortium for motorcycles and light electric vehicles. The point of this collaboration is to promote the widespread use of light EVs and increase the sustainability of battery lifecycles while making range longer, deleting the inconvenience of charging times, and decreasing infrastructure costs. The hope here is that consumers will be more interested in electric vehicles if most of their concerns are taken care of.
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Honda, KTM, Piaggio and Yamaha have come together for the creation of a swappable batteries consortium for motorcycles and light electric vehicles.
This move is expected to promote widespread use of EVs
The activities will start in May 2021
It will define the standardised technical specifications
Back in April 2019, it was
Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki who were expected to work on unified standards for electric bikes. However, that plan appears to have fallen through and two European companies have taken the place of Suzuki and Kawasaki.
In the context of the Paris Climate Agreement and the transition to electromobility, the founding members of the consortium believe that the availability of a standardised swappable battery system would both, promote the widespread use of light electric vehicles and contribute to a more sustainable life-cycle management of batteries used in the transport sector. This includes mop
Japan’s Honda and Yamaha have signed a memorandum of understanding with Italy’s Piaggio and Austria’s KTM to develop batteries for electric powersports vehicles.
Together, they will set up a Swappable Batteries Consortium for electric motorcycles, mopeds, tricycles, and quadricycles. The companies hope to set up international technical standards by working with governments and other stakeholders.
“The worldwide electrification effort to reduce CO2 on a global scale is accelerating, especially in Europe,” said Noriaki Abe, Honda’s managing officer of motorcycle operations. “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.”
Honda extend MotoGP commitment to 2026
Issued on:
05/02/2021 - 14:32 1 min
Paris (AFP)
Japanese manaufacturer Honda confirmed on Friday it would continue in MotoGP at least until 2026 after signing a new five-year contract with series-promoter Dorna Sports. Honda has been competing in the world championship since 1959, and won its 800th grand prix last year, said Noriaki Abe who oversees Honda s MotoGP unit. Honda believes MotoGP racing is vital to our motorsports activities. MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing. It allows us to develop various technologies, and through fierce competition, teach our engineers and nurture their skills.
Honda first became involved with motorcycle racing at the Isle of Man TTs in 1954 and has since gone on to produce 25 world champions.