- Singapore’s EV push hits swappable battery roadblock.
- Gogoro trial continues as Mo Batteries exits.
- Experts favor plug-in model long-term.
Plug it in or swap it out?
Singapore’s EV goals face a roadblock as swappable battery solutions struggle. With one player exiting and regulations tightening, the city-state’s electrification journey takes an interesting turn.
Mo Batteries’ withdrawal from Singapore’s EV trial raises doubts about swappable batteries’ viability. High costs, complex regulations proved challenging for the software firm’s fleet management model.
Focusing on software instead of hardware may have been a misstep, preventing uniform product experiences across trials.
Singapore’s charged-up future
While swapping suits for two-wheelers for businesses, experts question its fit for Singapore’s small motorcycle population.
As charging infrastructure expands, the plug-in model seems a more viable long-term solution. However, swapping could still find niche use-cases.
Despite the setback, industry experts remain optimistic about Singapore’s 2040 electrification targets. With clear policy focus on charging facilities and cost advantages over time, the shift to EVs appears inevitable, swappable batteries or not.
Gogoro’s ongoing trial also leaves the battery-swap door ajar for specialized applications.
To read the original article: https://www.techinasia.com/future-evs-singapore-swappable
