One of India’s major ICE-powered motorcycle manufacturers, Hero MotoCorp has announced to utilize Ather Energy’s fast-charging technology. Despite the two-wheeler manufacturer not having entered the E2W segment, it will likely implement the technology for its own e-scooters. Ather announced its fast-charging connector technology to the public in August 2021 and received interest from multiple market players.
Since Hero MotoCorp owns a ~35% stake in Ather Energy, the manufacturer has become the first major OEM to adopt the tech. However, both companies work independently of each other with Ather being in the E2W segment since 2018. Hero MotoCorp has yet to enter the segment but did provide a teaser for its first e-scooter earlier this year. The expected launch date for Hero MotoCorp to enter the E2W segment would be in the first quarter of 2022.
Hero MotoCorp has also announced its partnership with a Taiwan-based Battery Swapping Network Company known as Gogoro Inc. Under this partnership, Hero MotoCorp will create Gogoro-powered EVs and establish a battery swapping network in India. Gogoro’s expertise in battery swapping platforms would aid in promoting and quickening the shift to sustainable electric mobility in India. As a global leader in battery swapping and mobility innovation, Gogoro has close to 2000 battery swapping networks in Taiwan.
Along with managing 265,000 daily battery swaps, the company claims to have conducted 174 million battery swaps to date. According to Gogoro, more than 375,000 Taiwanese riders utilize their battery swapping stations. The company’s hyper-efficient platform has been recognized by Frost & Sullivan along with being awarded the ‘2020 Company of the Year’. Gogoro’s battery swapping network utilizes connectivity, artificial intelligence, and machine learning in order to become smart, scalable, and continually optimized.
The company grants its vehicle partners access to innovations, intellectual property such as intelligent drivetrains, controllers, components, and smart systems. Thanks to this, Gogoro’s vehicle partners are able to integrate swappable battery systems into their vehicles. The brand has also partnered with Yamaha, AeonMotor PGO, and eReady to utilize their swappable battery system.
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