A couple of months ago, Gogoro, a well-known electric smart scooter company in Taiwan, garnered international attention by expanding into the Philippines market. This was made possible through a joint venture with Ayala, Globe, and 917Ventures.
Although many details about the official release and availability aren’t yet clear, what’s certain is that the company is fast-tracking the development of its battery-swapping charging stations in various parts of the Philippines. Some users have already reported seeing these Gogoro battery swapping stations in locations such as Pasay, Laguna, and notably, the first one in BGC.
Netizens have also been sharing photos online that appear to be company employees testing the smartscooter.
Additionally, a YouTube account named lifeisbuhay 10 shared a video a few weeks ago featuring an actual Gogoro smart scooter roaming around in BGC.
The individual riding the scooter didn’t disclose much information but hinted that the scooter might become available before the end of the year (Q4).
Here are some other pieces of information that have been shared online:
Gogoro Brief History
Gogoro is a company that aims to transform urban energy and transportation through smart, portable electric power. It was founded in 2011 by Horace Luke, a former chief innovation officer at HTC. Gogoro offers a range of products and services, such as:
Gogoro Smartscooter: A smart, connected electric scooter that can be customized and upgraded through software and hardware. It features a digital dashboard, a keyless ignition, a theft-deterrent system, and a powerful battery system.
Gogoro Network: The world’s largest battery-swapping network, with over 2,500 stations in nine countries. Riders can swap their depleted batteries for fully charged ones in seconds, and pay a monthly subscription fee based on their usage.
Gogoro Platform: An open, turn-key platform that enables other vehicle brands and operators to leverage Gogoro’s technology and network. Some of the partners include Yamaha, Aeon Motor, PGO, Coup, GoShare, and Zypp.
Gogoro Smart Factory: A digitized and automated manufacturing facility that produces high-quality vehicles and components with efficiency and agility.
Gogoro’s mission is to create positive change by rethinking urban energy and mobility. It has received numerous awards and recognition for its innovation and sustainability, such as the CES Innovation Award, the Red Dot Design Award, the Edison Award, and the Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Award3.
What’s your opinion? Could Gogoro be the future of mobility in the Philippines, considering the growing popularity of alternative vehicles to bypass traffic? Will Gogoro become a major player in the electric mobility segment? What do you predict the price will be? Will it follow a subscription model or a one-time payment scheme? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section.
Gogoro Smartscooter Specs
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Motor | Electric, brushless DC hub motor |
| Power | 8.50 HP (6.2 kW) @ 3250 RPM |
| Torque | 202.00 Nm (20.6 kgf-m or 149.0 ft.lbs) |
| Top speed | 95.0 km/h (59.0 mph) |
| Battery | Lithium-ion, swappable at GoStation® sites |
| Range | Up to 100-170 km (62 miles) per swap |
| Weight | 94.0 kg (207.2 pounds) |
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc brakes, front and rear |
| Tires | 12-inch tubeless tires, front and rear |
| Suspension | Telescopic fork, front; single shock, rear |
| Features | Wireless key, reverse mode, smart dashboard, LED lights, regenerative braking |
