MGTC and UNIDO Battery-Swapping Pilot With Blueshark and RydeEV

The Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have launched a pilot project to test electric motorcycle battery-swapping systems, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Part of the GEF-7 UNIDO Accelerating Climate-Smart Transport initiative, the project aims to speed up the adoption of electric motorcycles in Malaysia. It will assess the feasibility of battery swapping, gather user feedback, and offer recommendations for nationwide implementation.

Officiated by Datuk Nor Yahati Awang, Deputy Secretary General (Environmental Sustainability) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, the initiative involves 40 electric motorcycles from Blueshark and RydeEV.

From December to January, riders from SPX Express, Zalora and Foodpanda will use the electric motorcycles in Klang Valley, supported by 29 battery-swapping stations.

The technology allows quick battery changes, addressing concerns like range and charging delays, while offering cost-effective subscription options.

Ir. Ts. Shamsul Bahar Mohd Nor, MGTC’s Group CEO, noted challenges such as limited station coverage, high costs, and a lack of battery standards. “This project evaluates the benefits and obstacles of transitioning to electric motorcycles while exploring strategies for scalability,” he said.

Aligned with Malaysia’s Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint, the project supports the goal of 15% electric motorcycle adoption by 2030, contributing to net-zero ambitions and promoting sustainable transportation.