Gov. Developing National Standard For E-Bike Battery Swapping Tech

According to The EDGE, Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Liew Chin Tong, has revealed that the government is developing a national standard for battery swapping technology in electric bike. This programme is expected to be completed and endorsed within the next year.

He further stated that the government is actively striving to standardise this technology among various industry stakeholders, enabling for seamless use across several platforms. A coalition will be formed to work towards the common aim of standardising battery storage system technology.

This national standard would be based on existing international standards, such as those established by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and the United Nations Regulation (UNR).

This standard would be developed in collaboration with various government agencies, including the Road Transport Department (JPJ), the Malaysian Institute of Automotive, Robotics, and Internet of Things (MARii), and industry participants, particularly electric bike suppliers and higher education institutions.

In terms of technology standardisation, Liew stated that the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (Mosti) has begun discussions with the Malaysian Motorcycle and Scooter Assemblers and Distributors Association (MASAAM) and established players such as RydEV and Mo Batteries. However, it is worth noting that somehow the very first electric bike with battery swapping technology, Blueshark was somehow not mentioned to be included in this discussion.

It is worth noting that Oyika, a battery swapping solution provider has officially entered the Malaysian market through RydEV, a subsidiary of Yinson Greentech.

Liew's remarks on this matter came in response to a question from Lee Chean Chung (PH-Petaling Jaya), who wanted to know Malaysia's long-term plans for the development of electric bike battery swapping technology [particularly with regards to prospective cooperation between the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and industrial (Miti) and companies such as Singapore's Oyika and Taiwan's Gegoro to develop a sustainable battery swapping industrial ecosystem.

Malaysia, which has the fourth-highest number of motorbike users in the world, is apparently taking aggressive steps to encourage the adoption of electric bikes. As part of these initiatives, the 2024 Budget proposed incentives of up to RM2,400 for electric bike purchases.