Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Key Lessons from Trial of Battery Swapping for Electric Motorcycles

Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Transport with regard to the two trial sandboxes for battery swapping for electric motorcycles 

a.     what are the takeaways from the experience of Taiwan especially in relation to the risk of lithium-ion-battery fires; 

b.     whether the number of electric motorcycles will increase from the current number of 26 during the 12-month trial period; and 

c.     whether battery-swapping electric motorcycles are expected to be used predominantly for commercial point-to-point services.

Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran:

1.     Electric motorcycles with swappable batteries have been used for both commercial point-to-point services and private purposes in Taiwan. We are only aware of one isolated fire incident in relation to such swapping solutions in Taiwan.

2.     However, given the importance of public safety, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has chosen to pilot battery-swapping solutions through limited deployment in regulatory sandboxes, in the first instance. This will allow us to understand and test the technology in our local context and adapt our regulations accordingly, before allowing any wider deployment for public use.

3.     Both the current sandboxes are limited to a combined deployment of 26 electric motorcycles - 20 for Gogoro and 6 for MO Batteries. Sandbox participants who wish to expand the sandbox must apply to LTA. LTA will consider the progress and safety record of the sandbox in assessing any such applications.

4.     When battery swapping has been established as a safe charging mode, we can expect to see such electric motorcycles for both commercial, and private use.