Gogoro, the leading provider of battery-swapping electric scooters, has announced a significant partnership with the Maharashtra government to introduce its battery standard, battery-swapping stations, and electric scooters across the state. With motorcycles and scooters outnumbering cars in India by approximately 4 to 1, focusing on electrifying two-wheelers is a logical step in the effort to promote sustainable transportation in the world’s most populous country.
Maharashtra, the largest state in India and home to Mumbai, the financial capital and most populous city, has joined forces with Gogoro to embark on an “Ultra Mega Project” agreement. This collaboration aims to manufacture electric vehicles, smart battery packs, and battery swap stations, enabling the deployment of Gogoro’s battery-swapping infrastructure throughout Maharashtra, starting in late 2023.
In Maharashtra, Ultra Mega Projects are classified as significant strategic investments exceeding US $500 million. Typically, the government provides incentives to ensure the successful execution of such projects. Gogoro’s request for financial incentives has been approved by the Maharashtra state cabinet, and both parties anticipate finalizing the agreement soon.
Gogoro’s electric scooters and battery-swapping network offer a convenient and straightforward solution to the recharging challenge faced by riders of electric scooters. Rather than searching for charging infrastructure, as is the case with conventional electric motorcycles or scooters, riders can simply visit a Gogoro GoStation and exchange their depleted batteries for fully charged ones in as little as six seconds. This seamless process allows riders to “recharge” almost instantly and continue their journey.
The announced partnership between Gogoro and the Maharashtra government involves a staggering investment exceeding US $1.5 billion. In addition to financial incentives, Maharashtra will provide support to Gogoro, following a previous memorandum of understanding (MOU) announcement. The project aims to foster job creation, generating approximately 10,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
Chief Minister Shri. Eknath Shinde emphasized Maharashtra’s dedication to electrification, stating that the collaboration with Gogoro exemplifies the state’s strong commitment to sustainable transportation. He further explained that Gogoro will establish manufacturing facilities for vehicles, smart batteries, and battery swapping stations in Maharashtra, enabling the deployment of their cutting-edge smart battery infrastructure. This ambitious project will solidify Maharashtra’s position as the leading state in India for electric vehicles.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis echoed the commitment to building a green and sustainable future for Maharashtra, aligning with Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi’s vision. Fadnavis expressed delight in approving the ultra mega project with Gogoro, a globally recognized electric two-wheeler company listed on Nasdaq. Gogoro’s state-of-the-art battery swap technology will revolutionize urban mobility and transportation across metros and cities. The project aims to establish an ecosystem that supports local manufacturers, allowing for technology transfer and the creation of world-class products for the citizens of Maharashtra.
Gogoro intends to build an open and accessible smart energy infrastructure in Maharashtra, establishing battery swapping and smart battery stations as key mobility and energy storage solutions. The company has already achieved remarkable success with thousands of battery swap stations in its home market of Taiwan, where Gogoro’s batteries are used not only in their own electric scooters but also in scooters produced by other manufacturers.
Apart from Taiwan, Gogoro’s battery-swapping network and electric scooters have expanded into several countries, including Korea, the Philippines, China, Israel, and Singapore. Both the Maharashtra government and Gogoro anticipate that this deployment will spur job growth throughout the smart energy, electric vehicle, and sustainability value chain.
Horace Luke, CEO and founder of Gogoro, highlighted the company’s successful deployment of an open battery swapping network supporting multiple vehicle makers in Taiwan. He expressed the company’s commitment to partnering with the Maharashtra government to introduce Gogoro vehicles, smart batteries, and swap stations in India, starting with Maharashtra. Gogoro aims to establish a domestic supplier ecosystem, enabling both domestic growth and expansion into foreign markets. Luke emphasized the importance of transforming industries and infrastructure to usher in a new era of clean and connected mobility. He expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with the Maharashtra government in their vision to revolutionize urban transportation and provide a better future for residents and businesses.
