In a bid to advance battery swapping technology, the big four Japanese motorcycle manufacturers – Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki – have joined forces to form the battery technology consortium, Gachaco. Working alongside Japanese petroleum company Eneos, Gachaco aims to streamline battery tech for consumers and promote the adoption of electric vehicles.
Recently, Gachaco announced its plans to launch the “Gachaco Battery Sharing Experience Campaign” with the goal of optimizing battery swapping technology for a seamless and user-friendly experience. This campaign follows the successful setup of battery swapping facilities in Japan, including two locations operated by Honda.
Under the “Gachaco Battery Sharing Experience Campaign,” 30 participants will be selected to use the newest Honda electric mopeds, the EM1 e: and Benly e:, throughout the duration of the event. The mopeds will be leased free of charge, with participants only paying for the services they use. It is important to note that this trial campaign is limited to the Tokyo area and participants must have a credit card for payment. At the end of the campaign, participants will receive a special gift card as a token of gratitude.
Gachaco offers its battery sharing platform at an incredibly affordable rate of just 300 yen (approximately $2 USD) per month. In addition to the monthly fee, users will be charged an extra fee based on their specific usage, set at 300 yen per kilowatt-hour, including the battery fee. This pricing structure aims to make electric mopeds more accessible and cost-effective for users.
Battery swapping technology has long been touted as a potential solution to address range anxiety in electric vehicles. With quick turnaround times comparable to refueling a traditional vehicle, battery swapping has the potential to be applicable to a wide range of electric vehicles. However, it requires specialized technology and infrastructure, including secure storage and charging facilities, to ensure the safety and integrity of the batteries.
The trial campaign is scheduled to commence in late October and conclude in November 2023, allowing Gachaco to gather valuable user feedback and improve their battery swapping technology further.
Sources:
– The article is based on information from an article on RideApart.com: “Gachaco Launches Battery Sharing Experience Campaign.”
– Gachaco is a battery technology consortium formed by Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki, in collaboration with Japanese petroleum company Eneos.