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[Richard230]

Here we have another urban scooter design.  The Gogoro Smartscooter is very creative and the company obviously put a lot of thought into designing it.  But who would want to buy a scooter that doesn't go much faster than a bicycle?  Plus, the cost of building, manning and maintaining the battery swap infrastructure would seem to be prohibitive to me.  I think there are some really smart designers fooling around with electric scooters, but will their business plan work?  I have my doubts. 

http://www.slashgear.com/gogoro-smartscooter-is-tesla-for-the-everyman-05362021/

[Doug S]

This type of EV is probably a complete non-starter here in the States, but keep in mind we're far from the only market. This might be a very good product for China, in particular. I could see some of the larger companies investing in a fleet of these for their employees to use in and around their campus, with a central garage where you swap battery packs. There are a HUGE number of large factories over there with dormitories for their employees, near or in a small town; these scooters would be a very cool, inexpensive option for them to get around in a fairly small area.

[Richard230]

Here is another article about the Gogoro.  This article makes the concept sound more positive.  However, I have my doubts about the claimed 62 mile range at a 60 mph top speed with those two (relatively) little batteries: 

https://rideapart.com/articles/future-two-wheeled-transportation-gogoro?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HellForLeather+%28Hell+For+Leather%29

[protomech]

And another article, the one i saw first:
http://www.theverge.com/2015/1/5/7484171/gogoro-smartscooter-electric-scooter-removeable-battery

The 60 mile range claim is almost certainly at urban speeds, 20-25 mph. Figure 50 Wh/mile, so about 3 kWh, 1.5 kWh per module.

Assuming the modules are using NCR 18650s with lightweight casings, then each module should weigh a bit less than 20 pounds.

Suppose an urban rider rides an average of 300 miles per month (about what I'm averaging now). They'd need to swap batteries at least 6 times per month, or 1-2 times per week. Typical fuel costs @ 80 mpg for a 150cc scooter would be around $15/month, so that's in the ballpark for the battery rental cost Gogoro would need to target. 15 kWh of energy costs only about $1.50 in the US.

A Honda PCX 150 retails for $3500. A Vespa LX 150 is $4500. Figure $15/month * 8 year lifetime = $1440 only, so Gogoro would need to be able to build the entire package for around $5000 to $6000.

All numbers are speculation, they haven't given out much hard information. Seems like a tall order, but installing battery swap locations every 1 mile or so (they'd need 20 to cover central Nashville, though we're surely not the initial target market) might work in dense locations, somewhat alleviating concerns about range. Like Tesla, they would need to be very responsive and install new stations as demand ramps up.

[Richard230]

The other problem Gogoro would have is vandalism of their battery replacement facilities.  To make the system work, they would have to operate like a vending machine, without any employees around to protect them.  It wouldn't be long before the urban city goons would trash the recharging machines and steal the batteries (just because they could).  In all of the major cities in the Bay Area, vandals seem to do anything they want without suffering any consequences (both the jails and police are overtaxed and spend little time arresting people for property crimes) and I have no idea how Gogoro would address this problem.

I also believe that there is little interest in high-price, low-power scooters in the U.S.  However, they may be more acceptable in the EU:
http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/netherlands-city-of-leiden-goes-electric-motorcycles-and-cars.htm

Unfortunately, it looks like the EU economy may be taking a downhill ride this year, even as gas prices drop into record lows, making EV companies shiver.  I note that Tesla stock dropped 4% yesterday.   

[protomech]

Vandalism will be a significant problem. Gogoro claims their battery modules (each 20 pound module probably costs them about $500) have chips built into them to prevent re-use after theft. Barring an easily exploitable flaw in the security of their system, the black market value of the modules would be the cells.

[jheth]

"Gogoro Smartscooter is Tesla for the everyman"

Seriously? Sad to see Internet reports abusing the Tesla brand to sell their headlines.
I was especially amused in the video, when the first feature the guy demonstrated was how to change dash display colors and make different sounds, using the iPhone app. I couldn't watch anymore after that. Unfortunately, this EV has no mass appeal or longevity (unlike Tesla)....


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[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

Another PR piece from a business perspective:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/aarontilley/2015/04/15/the-tesla-for-the-rest/

[protomech]

Gogoro is coming to four districts in Berlin. I believe this is the first time the scooters have been available outside Taiwan.

Gogoro is working with a new Bosch subsidiary named Coup, which is focused on zipcar-like rental operations not retail sales. Rent a scooter, drop it off wherever when done. The company will drive around and replace the batteries if needed, clean the helmets, and ensure the bike is in good shape.

https://www.wired.com/2016/08/gogoro-electric-scooters-coup-berlin/

[kingcharles]

Good news that they are still expanding into Europe!
The last I knew was that they would start in Amsterdam in 2016 but then it all went silent.
I hope Amsterdam is still planned to roll out too.