Ayala partners with Gogoro for smartscooters

TAIWANESE firm Gogoro Inc. has partnered with Globe’s 917Ventures and Ayala Corp. to bring battery swapping smartscooters to the Philippines.

A global technology leader in battery swapping ecosystems that enable sustainable mobility solutions for cities, Gogoro, along with 917Ventures and Ayala Corp., will focus to deliver an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fossil fuelpowered vehicles in the country.

“Gogoro is honored to have the support of the Philippine’s Department of Energy (DoE) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to kick start this new smart mobility movement in Manila that utilizes Gogoro’s intelligent battery swapping, a new generation of EV refueling,” said Horace Luke, founder and chief executive officer of Gogoro.

“Through our collaboration with Globe, 917Ventures and

Ayala Corp., we plan to unlock incredible environmental and sustainability benefits, and introduce new smart mobility efficiencies for businesses by improving how they manage their fleets and deliveries.”

The companies will be launching a two-wheel battery swapping pilot in Manila using Gogoro’s industry leading battery swapping and smartscooters.

The smartscooters are powered by Gogoro’s Swap & Go battery swapping platform that uses distributed battery-swapping stations to enable convenient swapping of used batteries for new ones that deliver riders full-power in just seconds. This is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2023.

“We are committed to helping solve the climate crisis by introducing Gogoro to logistics businesses, helping them in their sustainability efforts. In addition, the Swap & Go technology will enable riders to be fully charged in just seconds and therefore eliminate the need for parking spots. Hopefully, this technology will encourage more Filipinos to switch to EV,” said Vince Yamat, managing director of 917Ventures.

Patrick Aquino, director of the Department of Energy’s Energy Utilization Management Bureau, highlighted that the success of the pilot will pave the way for a new sustainable business model in other cities in the country. “[The] Philippines can learn from Taiwan’s experience,” he said.

Over 25 percent of Taiwan’s quick commerce deliveries and almost all of their electric deliveries are powered by Gogoro’s battery-swapping technology, “and we see this solution being most beneficial to a densely populated region like Metro Manila, which is also the hub of business districts,” Aquino added.

Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba said, “Our country needs innovative tech-led projects that support climate action. I commend 917Ventures, Globe and the Ayala Corp. for always being at the forefront of change-making initiatives that aim to improve the lives of Filipinos while helping protect the environment.”

The Gogoro ecosystem offers businesses a path forward that is safe, sustainable, proven and easily scalable. Last-mile delivery fleets require a sustainable solution that not only achieves the best alternative to gas-powered vehicles but is well suited to the specific segment needs of the delivery industry. The Gogoro platform delivers a sophisticated two-wheel battery swapping system that enables delivery operators to manage their fleets and deliveries more efficiently and sustainably.