After months of preparation and teasing, Globe Group’s 917Ventures, Ayala Corporation, and Gogoro Inc. have officially launched Gogoro Smartscooters and its Battery-Swapping technology in the Philippines. At the event held at the Globe Tower in BGC, the companies introduced the venture as a sustainable transportation solution that brings together smart, convenient, and accessible electric two-wheelers to customers.
Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu with the first Gogoro Smartscooter at the Battery-Swapping GoStation at The Globe Tower in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig | Photo by Globe Press
“We in the Globe Group are very proud to bring Gogoro Smartscooters and battery-swapping to the Philippines, a transport ecosystem that marries mobility innovation and sustainability. This year, Filipinos will have access to these electric two-wheelers and Gogoro’s convenient and cost-efficient battery-swapping technology, another first in the Philippines,” said Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu.
Gogoro, which also operates in China, India, Japan, Indonesia, Korea and Israel, helped transform two-wheel mobility in Taiwan and fostered a new smart mobility industry with a network of eco-friendly businesses and end-users. There are currently 540,000 Gogoro riders in Taiwan with more than one million smart batteries deployed from 12,000 battery-swapping stations. With 400,000 battery swaps done each day, Gogoro riders have done more than 450 million total swaps and has saved more than 627,000 tons of CO2 since it was launched.
Gogoro Founder and CEO Horace Luke | Photo by Mika Fernandez David
Horace Luke, Founder and CEO of Gogoro, said the company is excited to bring the Gogoro ecosystem to the Philippines and is committed to replicating its success in Taiwan,
“Our partnership with the Globe Group and Ayala Corporation in the Philippines is a major milestone in our mission to transform urban transportation and provide an accessible path for riders to adopt sustainable urban mobility and play a key role in battling climate change and making the world better for all. We look forward to working together to deliver a sustainable transport system that will improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions, and provide a superior riding experience for consumers in the Philippines,” Luke said.
Seventy (70) Globe employees will be the first to try out the Gogoro 2 Premium Smartscooters and its battery-swapping technology as part of the pilot testing program prior to the launch scheduled for later this year. Starting in May, the participants will test the system for two months and share insights on their experience to ensure an even better customer experience once the e-bikes become available to the public.
The Gogoro 2 Premium Smartscooter | Photos by Mika Fernandez David
The Gogoro 2 Premium is powered by a liquid-cooled, permanent magnet synchronous motor (G2.2) that is paired with an integrated helical gearbox. It has a maximum power output of 7kW @ 3,000rpm and maximum torque of 26.6Nm @ 2,500rpm. The Gogoro 2 Premium has a maximum riding range per battery swap of approximately 170 kilometers running at 30 kph, and operates with Gogoro’s iQ System that constantly monitors vehicle safety, optimizes performance and energy saving, and continuously updates the system with newer and smarter features as they become available. It also features a front storage compartment with a USB charging port and is equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
Also unveiled at the event was the first Gogoro battery-swapping station in the Philippines, strategically located along Lane Q of Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, at the back of the Globe Tower. This is the first of the initial seven stations for immediate rollout in the Central Business District, with other locations to follow around the country.
(L to R) Globe Capital Venture Holdings Director Bernie Llamzon; Ayala Corporation Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala; Gogoro Founder and CEO Horace Luke; Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu; and 917 Ventures Managing Director Vince Yamat | Photo by Globe Press
Gogoro’s launch is the Globe Group’s debut in the climate tech space, as it continues to deliver innovations that address Filipinos’ daily pain points. As a better transportation alternative, Gogoro aims to address commuter woes on expensive gas prices while helping curb carbon emissions, in line with the partners’ shared commitment to sustainability, and the Philippine government’s sustainable development agenda.
“The Gogoro ecosystem is very convenient as its swap-and-go technology allows riders to swap out depleted batteries for charged ones in just seconds and go on their way. With the current traffic situation in the metro, these Smartscooters® will serve as an eco-friendly alternative to ease congestion while at the same time reducing carbon emissions,” said Bernie Llamzon, Globe Capital Venture Holdings Inc. Director.
917Ventures Managing Director Vince Yamat, meanwhile, thanked the government’s support for the shift to EVs as he cited the importance of enabling policy for electric vehicles to succeed in the country.
“The shift to EVs, particularly deploying Gogoro’s battery-swapping system, will go a long way with sustained government support that will allow private sector initiatives to prosper. Sustainable transportation projects are, after all, aligned with the government’s long-term agenda to promote environment-friendly transport options and foster digitalization as mobility needs of Filipino individuals and businesses rise,” Yamat said.
The system’s tagline promises the successful swapping of drained batteries for fully-charged ones in just 6 seconds. | Photo by Globe Press
While pricing and model availability were not disclosed at the event, executives assured that units and subscription packages would be “reasonably priced” and will be made available closer to the commercial launch date. Yamat also disclosed that pre-orders will be available “similar to that of smartphone launches,” in Q4.
When asked if there are plans to collaborate with other manufacturers with scooters compatible with the battery swapping technology, Bernie Llamzon said their focus will be “on building the ecosystem of Gogoro smartscooters and battery swapping stations.”
To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.
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