Cycle & Carriage to distribute battery-swapping two-wheelers

While the technology may not be ripe for electric cars yet, it’s likely that electric bikes with battery-swapping capabilities will soon become more commonplace on Singapore's roads.

Cycle & Carriage Singapore (C&C) announced on Wednesday (17 July 2024) that it has signed an agreement with Gogoro to be the exclusive distributor of the latter's electric two-wheelers, as well as two-wheeler battery-swapping system. Gogoro, which is headquartered in Taiwan, states that the system is the first of its kind in the entire world. The news comes just slightly over a year after the two parties announced the start of a co-pilot with food delivery platform, Foodpanda, involving a fleet of Gogoro's electric two-wheelers (dubbed 'Smartscooters').

The pilot run of Gogoro's Smartscooters and battery-swapping GoStation, started in March 2023, has been deemed a success even before its official conclusion

While the trial is technically still underway - and will only conclude officially in September this year - it appears to have already been deemed a success by both C&C and Gogoro on multiple accounts.

Here's a quick and important first figure: With Foodpanda's riders relying on the Smartscooters to make their food deliveries, battery swaps conducted - arguably the most vital factor - have been observed to be quick and convenient, taking no more than a minute to be completed. With each rider clocking approximately 2,200km per month, up to two battery swaps were conducted for each rider per day, with each swap providing a travelling range of up to 100km.

It wasn't just the convenience of the battery swapping system that earned positive feedback, though.

The Smartscooters themselves proved to be quite pleasant vessels of transport, earning high satisfaction scores on metrics such as their speed, silent ride, lack of heat, and comfort and refinement (minimal vibrations). According to one participant, operating the Smartscooter's ignition is fuss-free too, requiring just a tap of the card and one's thumbprint. The Smartscooters have also been praised for the convenience of their reverse function.

Gogoro's Smartscooters are set to go on sale by end-2024, with a three-model strong lineup including the performance-oriented Gogoro SuperSport, as well as the stylish Gogoro Premium

Key to the new agreement inked between C&C and Gogoro is the fact that both parties have managed to secure a permit from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to launch the battery swapping platform. This is also in compliance with the safety and performance standards outlined in the Technical Requirements 25 (TR25).

As to what the C&C's exclusive distributorship of Gogoro's vehicles and systems mean for Singapore's roads, motorists can look forward to two main developments in the near future.

Firstly, C&C has laid out plans to bring in three electric Smartscooter models from Gogoro by Q4 2024. These will serve different customer needs, spanning those looking for a more performance-oriented two-wheeler (with the Gogoro SuperSport), something more stylish (the Gogoro Premium), or something more cost-efficient, for higher-mileage use (the Gogoro Viva Mix).

Correspondingly, a new Gogoro showroom should be finished around the fourth quarter of the year too, and will be housed within the recently-opened C&C Electric Commercial Vehicle Hub in Ubi. Apart from selling the Smartscooters to private buyers, C&C also intends to launch an all-inclusive leasing package - which should serve last-mile delivery riders will by making operating costs more predictable and transparent. 

C&C is intending to launch an all-inclusive leasing package, targeted at last-mile delivery riders, which will cover maintenance and servicing, as well as battery-swapping services

This package will include service and maintenance, as well as battery-swapping services.

That brings us to the second big portion: Battery charge and swap stations (BCSS).

With C&C and Gogoro having secured the licensing rights to install the latter’s battery swapping GoStations in Singapore, the duo have managed to pull yet another big name onboard: Shell Recharge.

In the months to come, motorists can also expect to see GoStations sprouting up at Shell service stations across the island, with the first one set to be located at the Shell Yio Chu Kang service station at 158 Yio Chu Kang Road. This is slated for completion next month, with more to follow over the next two years.

C&C and Gogoro have already managed rope in Shell Recharge for the installation of the installation of the battery-swapping GoStations, with the first one set to be located at Shell Yio Chu Kang (at 158 Yio Chu Kang Road)

In the meantime, C&C states that it is currently in talks with other partners to scale up both sales of Gogoro’s Smartscooters, as well as installation of the GoStations.

The multi-brand franchise also believes that its expanded partnership with Gogoro marks an “excellent addition” in helping it expand and diversify its portfolio in sustainable mobility.

Speaking on the news, Mr. Wilfrid Foo, Managing Director of Cycle & Carriage Singapore, said, “While battery swapping technology and two-wheel electric vehicles are relatively new in Singapore, our partnership with Gogoro will accelerate the growth."

“We believe that this is a viable green mobility solution for Singapore,” he added.