During its EICMA 2023 press conference, Taiwanese motorbike manufacturer Kymco showcased its Ionex EV Solution, which consists of three components designed to meet the needs of businesses and riders.
For riders and network operators, Ionex Energy Stations will be available for quick and easy battery swapping for vehicles on the Ionex platform.
On the energy company side, Kymco plans to offer Ionex batteries in a "Battery-as-a-Service" format. This setup eliminates concerns about battery health for owners of Ionex-powered vehicles and could potentially reduce the cost of purchasing electric motorbikes.
Kymco's Battery Metering Unit aims to simplify the adoption of the Ionex system across multiple motorbike designs from various manufacturers.
While Kymco is known for manufacturing scooters and motorcycles, the Ionex proposition is an entire ecosystem. Ionex Battery Metering Units will be integrated into any motorbike that utilizes the Ionex platform, allowing all manufacturers to incorporate the Ionex Common Battery into their designs.
Kymco believes that a common Ionex platform solves one of the biggest obstacles in making electric motorbikes, which is the battery. Riders can benefit from reduced range anxiety, improved battery health, and lower upfront vehicle costs.
Following the Ionex presentation, Kymco chairman Allen Ko answered additional questions from RideApart:
Q: Will Kymco's Ionex technology be used in cooperation with LiveWire for smaller electric motorbikes?
A: Yes, Kymco's Ionex technology is expected to drive potential cooperation between LiveWire and Kymco for smaller electric motorbikes.
Q: Will the Ionex ecosystem be rolled out globally?
A: Kymco plans to gradually introduce the Ionex ecosystem worldwide and has received strong interest from potential partners outside of Europe and Southeast Asia.
Q: Is Kymco exploring other applications for the Ionex system?
A: Yes, Kymco is exploring the feasibility of using the Ionex system in various areas. For example, they have showcased an Ionex Smart Streetlight that combines a solar power generator and Ionex battery swapping cabinet to power streetlights at night at the Smart City Summit & Expo in 2022.
