4 bike makers create consortium for swappable batteries

honda-pxc-electric

Following the conditions of the Paris Climate Agreement and the transition to electromobility, companies Honda, Yamaha, KTM, and Piaggio signed a letter of intent to create a Swappable Batteries Consortium for Motorcycles and Light Electric Vehicles. The founding members of the Consortium recognize the need for a standardized swappable battery system will encourage the widespread use of electric vehicles and promote a more sustainable life-cycle management of batteries used in the transport sector.

honda-pxc-electric-plug

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Managing Officer, Motorcycle Operations, Noriaki Abe said, “The worldwide electrification effort to reduce CO2 on a global scale is accelerating, especially in Europe. 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.”

Part of what the Consortium is looking at is extending the range, shortening the charging time, and lowering vehicle and infrastructure costs which could answer the customers’ main concerns regarding the future of electromobility.

The aim of the Consortium will be to come up with a standardized technical specification of a swappable battery system for motor vehicles in the L-category which will include mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles. The founding members of the Consortium look to work hand in hand with interested stakeholders and national, European and international standardization bodies to come up with a homogenized system.

The institution of the Consortium could pave the way for better and safer electric motor vehicles in the foreseeable future. That said, with multinational companies like Honda, Yamaha, KTM, and Piaggio coming together for such an initiative, the realization of a uniform and regulated electric motor vehicles can happen anytime soon.

ktm-e-ride

“Sustainability is one of the key drivers to the future of mobility and electrification will play a major role in achieving this goal. 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. 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,” commented KTM AG CEO, Stefan Pierer.

The Consortium will start its campaign in May 2021. Honda, Yamaha, KTM, and Piaggio encourage all interested stakeholders to join the cooperation to enrich the Consortium’s expertise in the said matter. 

Photos from Honda and KTM 

Also Read: 

Here's an Electric Scooter That 'Roars' Like a Motorcycle

Here's the First Electric Motorcycle Printed in 3D

Read All

Featured Articles

Recommended Articles For You

Read All

Featured Motorcycles

  • Upcoming

Motorcycle Articles From Zigwheels

  • News
  • Article Feature
  • Advisory Stories
  • Road Test
  • Honda PH throws support to 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship tourney
    Honda PH throws support to 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship tourney
    Ruben Manahan IV . Sep 15, 2025
  • All-new Aerox makes PH regional debut at Yamaha Motor Show Cebu 2025
    All-new Aerox makes PH regional debut at Yamaha Motor Show Cebu 2025
    Ruben Manahan IV . Sep 12, 2025
  • Pope Leo signs BMW R18, motorcycle to be sent for auction
    Pope Leo signs BMW R18, motorcycle to be sent for auction
    Paulo Papa . Sep 08, 2025
  • Yamaha Motor PH brings ‘Start Youniqueness’ campaign to Cebu with Mio Fazzio
    Yamaha Motor PH brings ‘Start Youniqueness’ campaign to Cebu with Mio Fazzio
    Paulo Papa . Sep 04, 2025
  • Yamaha PH Racing team shows determination at ARRC 2025 Round 4
    Yamaha PH Racing team shows determination at ARRC 2025 Round 4
    Ruben Manahan IV . Sep 03, 2025
  • Check out the Yamaha Mio Fazzio's 3 zesty tones
    Check out the Yamaha Mio Fazzio's 3 zesty tones
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • How it started, how it’s going: Suzuki Philippines Incorporated
    How it started, how it’s going: Suzuki Philippines Incorporated
    Paulo Papa . Sep 16, 2025
  • Yamaha Tmax: top 3 reasons to buy
    Yamaha Tmax: top 3 reasons to buy
    Cesar Miguel . Sep 03, 2025
  • History of Yamaha in PH
    History of Yamaha in PH
    Cesar Miguel . Aug 29, 2025
  • Yamaha Aerox Standard: Yays and nays
    Yamaha Aerox Standard: Yays and nays
    Paulo Papa . Aug 28, 2025
  • Ponchos or raincoats: which is better for riding?
    Ponchos or raincoats: which is better for riding?
    Cesar Miguel . Jul 09, 2025
  • Customize your motorcycles the ‘proper’ way
    Customize your motorcycles the ‘proper’ way
    Ruben Manahan IV . Jul 04, 2025
  • How to prepare your motorcycles for the rainy season
    How to prepare your motorcycles for the rainy season
    Paulo Papa . Jun 30, 2025
  • 6 motorcycle-friendly spots to help you beat the summer heat
    6 motorcycle-friendly spots to help you beat the summer heat
    Cesar Miguel . Mar 26, 2025
  • Electric motorcycle: A complete buying guide
    Electric motorcycle: A complete buying guide
    Purva Jain . Jun 30, 2024
  • Honda Giorno+: classy, capable city scoot
    Honda Giorno+: classy, capable city scoot
    Paulo Papa . Apr 02, 2025
  • First ride: Yamaha NMax Tech Max
    First ride: Yamaha NMax Tech Max
    Ruben Manahan IV . Mar 28, 2025
  • X hits the spot: Yamaha XMax
    X hits the spot: Yamaha XMax
    Ruben Manahan IV . Jul 23, 2024
  • Riding solo: Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX
    Riding solo: Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX
    Ruben Manahan IV . Mar 13, 2024
  • Unconventional steed: Suzuki Avenis
    Unconventional steed: Suzuki Avenis
    Ruben Manahan IV . Jan 16, 2024