The sports motorcycle manufacturers have agreed on developing a standard-sized swappable battery system for the new electric motorcycles. They are also planning to create quick-swap battery banks at service stations for catering to a range of brands and models.
Till this point, Honda, Yamaha, KTM, and Piaggio have agreed on terms and reached a signed agreement. The development program has left an open invitation to other motorcycle manufacturers to build and market their parts along as well.
The initiative comes out as a piece of great news for motorcycle enthusiasts. Why? Because one thing that still is a bug in these electric motorcycles is their range and long charging times. So, this initiative might well prove to come out at a much-needed time.
Motorcycles cannot carry huge battery systems, the kind that electric car’s come with. This initiative might also not be the perfect fit for taking riders out touring or offering a hundred miles range. The heavy batteries would be a burden to bear for the motorcycle and the one riding it.
This system, in actuality, is focused on catering to smaller commuting electric bikes. It will aid those who don’t have their own charging points at home and face hurdles in charging their electric motorcycle. It will also prove handy for the off-road segments like the electric dirt bikes can be kept fun and light with considerably smaller swappable battery packs to keep them out on the trail without having to pause for long.
A Honda press release stated, “will, therefore, be to define the standardized 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 standardization bodies, the founding members of the Consortium will be involved in the creation of international technical standards. The Consortium will start its activities in May 2021. The four founding members encourage all interested stakeholders to join the cooperation to enrich the Consortium’s expertise.”
