Earlier today, Globe Group‘s 917Ventures, Ayala Corporation, and Gogoro Inc. launched Gogoro Smartscooters® and battery-swapping in the Philippines, marking a historic moment for sustainable transportation in the country. The launch introduces a new era of electric two-wheelers that provide smart, convenient, and accessible transport options for customers. The companies made the announcement during a ceremony at the Globe headquarters in Bonifacio Global City, where they also revealed plans for the commercial public release of Gogoro Smartscooters® and battery-swapping stations in Metro Manila in Q4 2023.
“We in the Globe Group are very proud to bring Gogoro Smartscooters® and battery-swapping to the Philippines, a transport ecosystem that marries mobility innovation and sustainability. This year, Filipinos will have access to these electric two-wheelers and Gogoro’s convenient and cost-efficient battery-swapping technology, another first in the Philippines,” according to Ernest Cu, Globe Group President and CEO.
Globe Group’s entry into the climate tech space began with the launch of Gogoro, a better transportation alternative that addresses daily pain points for Filipinos. By providing a solution to expensive gas prices and reducing carbon emissions, Gogoro aligns with the partners’ shared commitment to sustainability and the Philippine government’s sustainable development agenda. The brand has already made waves in Taiwan, fostering a new smart mobility industry with eco-friendly businesses and end-users. With operations in China, India, Japan, Indonesia, Korea, Israel, and now the Philippines, Gogoro is transforming two-wheel mobility around the world.
“Our partnership with the Globe Group and Ayala Corporation in the Philippines is a major milestone in our mission to transform urban transportation and provide an accessible path for riders to adopt sustainable urban mobility and play a key role in battling climate change and making the world better for all. We look forward to working together to deliver a sustainable transport system that will improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions, and provide a superior riding experience for consumers in the Philippines,” said Horace Luke, Founder and CEO of Gogoro.
The company said it is excited to bring the Gogoro ecosystem to the Philippines and is committed to replicating its success in Taiwan, where Gogoro has 540,000 riders and has deployed more than one million smart batteries at 12,000 battery-swapping stations. Gogoro riders have swapped more than 450 million total swaps, 400,000 per day, and Gogoro has saved more than 627,000 tons of CO2 since it launched.
Also earlier today, the Philippines’ first Gogoro battery-swapping station was unveiled at The Globe Tower in BGC, signifying the beginning of a network of stations planned for Metro Manila and beyond. The partners announced a Gogoro pilot program for Globe employees, with seventy (70) participants testing the Smartscooters® and battery-swapping system for two (02) months starting in May 2023. The pilot program aims to gather valuable insights and feedback from users to ensure a seamless customer experience when the e-bikes become available to the public later this year.
“The Gogoro ecosystem is very convenient as its swap-and-go technology allows riders to swap out depleted batteries for charged ones in just seconds and go on their way. With the current traffic situation in the metro, these Smartscooters® will serve as an eco-friendly alternative to ease congestion while at the same time reducing carbon emissions,” said Bernie Llamzon, Globe Capital Venture Holdings Inc. Director.
917Ventures Managing Director Vince Yamat thanked the government’s support for the shift to EVs as he cited the importance of enabling policy for electric vehicles to succeed in the country, “The shift to EVs, particularly deploying Gogoro’s battery-swapping system, will go a long way with sustained government support that will allow private sector initiatives to prosper. Sustainable transportation projects are, after all, aligned with the government’s long-term agenda to promote environment-friendly transport options and foster digitalization as mobility needs of Filipino individuals and businesses rise.”
The Globe Group, 917Ventures, and Ayala Corporation are at the forefront of utilizing technology to improve the quality of life for Filipinos and protect the environment. Through their innovative initiatives, they consistently demonstrate a commitment to effecting positive change in the country.