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Amanda Quick·
Motorcycle News
··2 min read

What’s the Swappable Battery Motorcycle Consortium Up To?

A woman using SBMC's swappable battery system.
SBMC's ideal use of their swappable battery. Media source from SBMC.

While our industry continues to make decisions that lean toward electric energy, one organization, in particular, is really starting to make waves. 

Apparently, the Swappable Battery Motorcycle Consortium (SBMC) is now up to 39 core/regular/associate members (SBMC); now, this Consortium – founded by Honda Motor, Piaggio Group, Yamaha Motor, and KTM F&E – is well on its way to completing the goals set out in that letter of intent that they signed back in March of 2021.

A woman using SBMC's swappable battery system.
SBMC’s ideal use of their swappable battery. Media source from SBMC.

On the organization’s recent news page, we read that prototypes of a swappable battery; they’re also going to be at EICMA 2023, where they intend to “meet with those who are interested in learning more about the organization, its progress so far, and its future goals.”

A woman using SBMC's swappable battery system.
SBMC’s ideal use of their swappable battery. Media source from SBMC.

What kinds of vehicles will use SBMC’s product?

Currently, SBMC states in the “Scope” section of their website that they’re working within certain parameters for this swappable battery prototype.

Take a look below: 

SWAPPABLE BATTERY CORE REQUIREMENTS

Suitable for different vehicle categories and usages     ​

  • L1e-B, L2e, L3e-A1/A2, L5e, L6e, L7e 

Drivetrain power     

  • Up to 11kW nominal (~20kWp)

Voltage ran​​ge     

  • Low voltage vehicles (48V)

Usage range     

  • Commuting, sport, light off-road use; Worldwide usage

Portable battery     

  • Weight below 12 kg, battery energy up to 2 kW/h
See also

 Battery safety     

  • Battery within voltage Class A limits: Not considered ‘dangerous goods’ while maintaining cost efficiency

Multiple batteries     

  • Vehicle usage with single or multiple battery connection possible, max 2 in serial and max 8 in parallel configuration.

In other words, stacks of these swappable batteries may eventually be suitable for A1/A2-friendly motorcycles, though we haven’t yet had confirmation on a working motorcycle prototype that’s passed field trials (that’ll be next year) nor, in fact, an inclination to build anything more powerful for the Powersports community.

A view of SBMC's current battery prototype.
A view of the current prototype SBMC will likely show at EICMA 2023. Media sourced from SBMC.

Expect the focus of this Swappable Battery Consortium to remain on small-capacity machines, meaning that we shouldn’t expect a drivetrain capable of anything more than the 14.7hp (11kW nominal) states above. 

What do you think of the Swappable Battery Consortium’s work? Be sure to visit the SBMC booth at EICMA 2023, where we’re told they’ll be in HALL 18 from November 9-12.

See you there.

*Media provided by the Swappable Battery Consotrium (SBMC)*