Could Honda Rewire Mobility In Europe With Its Swappable Power Pack?

Serious stuff now, fun stuff later…hopefully.

Photo by: Honda

By: Enrico Punsalang

Nov 13, 2024 at 9:03am ET

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Honda is clearly taking electrification seriously. I mean, out of the Japanese big four, Honda has some of the most promising tech and has been working on electrification for the longest time when compared to its counterparts.

Clearly, Honda has a lot of electric tech in its portfolio. We talked about how Team Red unveiled two new EV motorcycle concepts at EICMA, and how it totally missed the opportunity to integrate yet another one of its tech innovations into the mix. I am, of course, talking about the Honda Mobile Power Pack e:.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, Honda’s Mobile Power Pack e: just has to be one of the most promising electric mobility solutions since Gogoro came into prominence. And that’s because it’s essentially the same thing. You see, Honda has been working not only on the Mobile Power Pack e: as a universal power solution, but a whole battery swapping infrastructure built around the thing. Honda also seems to be taking its time with the development of all this, as it’s clear it wants to ensure the compatibility of the Mobile Power Pack e: in different markets.

Honda recently formed a partnership with a company called GoCimo, a Swedish startup that runs a network of for-rent electric motorcycles and scooters with swappable batteries. Honda hopes to test its EM1 e: electric scooter, along as a prototype of the Mobile Power Pack e: battery and swapping station (called the Honda Power Pack Exchanger e:) while they’re at it.

On paper, the program seems pretty promising as Sweden, along with many other countries in Europe, has been quick to embrace e-mobility. Plus, if Honda’s reputation for reliability is anything to go by, the Mobile Power Pack e: just might be what changes the urban mobility game.

Sweden serves as the fifth country for Honda to launch its battery-swapping technology following its home country of Japan, as well as India, Indonesia, and Thailand. It’s also the first country in Europe for Honda to test its battery tech in, so it’ll be interesting to see how Honda’s tech performs.

What do you think?

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For now, it seems that Honda is adamant about marketing the Mobile Power Pack e: as a utilitarian power solution. It’s used the thing to power construction equipment, tourist boats, and electric commuter scooters and motorcycles. And so far, it all looks really promising.

Now, should Honda continue enjoying success with its Mobile Power Pack e:, I sure hope it starts using it for more recreational applications. Surely, an ATV powered by the Power Pack will be a fun and practical machine. So too would be a Power Pack-powered dirtbike—something like a little CRF e:, perhaps?