Honda is planning to expand its battery-swapping service to Europe. In their announcement, Honda will partner with GoCimo (formerly known as GoCiklo), a Swedish start-up that operates rental and sharing service of electric motorcycles with swappable batteries, to start the battery sharing service verification test in Malmö, Sweden in February 2025 for a period of one year.
The goal of the test is to know the level of acceptability of a battery sharing service in Europe, the suitability of a new battery swap station, and the business feasibility of the service.
Honda and GoCimo will collaborate on a pilot project in Malmö to test a battery-swapping service for electric scooters. The test will involve three battery-swapping stations, where riders can quickly exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones. Honda will provide the necessary hardware, including electric scooters and batteries, while GoCimo will manage the service operations, customer acquisition, and station locations. Both companies will use this opportunity to assess the potential for a long-term partnership to expand battery-swapping services across Europe.
Honda has already launched battery sharing services in Japan, India, Indonesia, and Thailand. Last September, Honda introduced its ‘electric moped’ the EM1 e with its swappable batteries in the Philippines, and may introduce the same battery-swapping service in the future.
The partnership with GoCimo in Sweden marks Honda’s fifth country to adopt this innovative technology. By collaborating with GoCimo, Honda aims to accelerate the adoption of electric motorcycles and promote the use of swappable batteries in Europe. The focus will be on providing battery-swapping services for business users in major European cities, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and low-carbon future.
Source: Green Car Reports
