Tag Archives: Kymco

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Meet Kymco Ionex, The EV Platform That Will Power Future LiveWire Bikes

During its EICMA 2023 press conference, established Taiwanese motorbike manufacturer Kymco showcased its Ionex EV Solution. The program consists of three things, intended to address the needs of both stakeholder businesses and future riders.

For riders and network operators, Ionex Energy Stations will allow quick and simple battery swapping for vehicles on the Ionex platform.

On the energy company side, the plan involves offering Ionex batteries in a “Battery-as-a-Service” format. This setup is designed to alleviate concerns for owners of Ionex-powered vehicles about battery health.

Kymco states that under this system, the batteries aren’t part of the ownership equation for vehicle buyers. This could ultimately lead to lower costs for purchasing electric motorbikes. As older batteries lose their ability to fully charge, network operators can recycle them and supply customers with new, fresh batteries.

Finally, Kymco’s Battery Metering Unit aims to simplify the adoption of the Ionex system for multiple motorbike designs by various manufacturers.

While Kymco is known for manufacturing scooters and motorcycles, its Ionex proposition is an entire ecosystem. Ionex Battery Metering Units would exist on any motorbike making use of the Ionex platform, allowing all interested manufacturers to integrate the Ionex Common Battery into their design.

Kymco has described a common Ionex platform as a solution to the biggest obstacles in making electric motorbikes. For riders, potential benefits include reduced worries about range anxiety, battery health, and up-front vehicle cost.

4 Questions About Ionex With Kymco Chairman Allen Ko

Following Kymco’s Ionex presentation, RideApart had a few additional questions that Kymco chairman Allen Ko answered.

Is Kymco’s Ionex technology expected to power future LiveWire bikes?

Yes, Kymco’s Ionex technology is anticipated to be the driving force behind potential cooperation between LiveWire and Kymco for smaller electric motorbikes.

Where does Kymco plan to roll out the Ionex ecosystem?

Kymco plans to gradually introduce the Ionex ecosystem worldwide, with strong interest from potential partners in countries outside Europe and Southeast Asia.

How is Kymco exploring the feasibility of using the Ionex system in various areas?

Kymco is exploring the feasibility of using the Ionex system in multiple areas. For example, at the Smart City Summit & Expo in 2022, Kymco showcased an Ionex Smart Streetlight, combining a solar power generator and Ionex battery swapping cabinet to power streetlights at night.

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Kymco’s IONEX Announcement on June 19, 2023

Kymco is set to unveil their latest addition to the IONEX range of bikes on June 19, 2023. This announcement is expected to showcase a new model or an innovative feature for the IONEX platform. The Taiwanese brand has referred to this reveal as their “trump card,” suggesting a significant development in the market.

The IONEX platform currently utilizes a swappable battery system that allows users to easily charge their bikes at home or swap batteries on the go at any IONEX station. This concept is similar to the Gogoro platform, with hubs scattered throughout major cities to alleviate range anxiety. Kymco’s videos and marketing materials emphasize the convenience and range capabilities of their IONEX program.

Head-Turning Cool, Never Wait For Charging, and Never Worry About Range are the key selling points of Kymco’s IONEX program. The system enables riders to access a network of outlets and stations, as well as rent additional batteries for extended all-electric travel.

What makes the IONEX platform unique is that the batteries charge the core module in the bike, which powers the rear wheel. If there are multiple battery modules installed, the system can intelligently switch between them. Battery stations ensure that users can pick up fresh cells if they run low on power.

Introduced in 2018, the IONEX range has been continuously expanding. Kymco’s upcoming announcement has the potential to shake up the market, particularly in Taiwan where the brand originates, or even on a global scale.

The announcement will take place on June 19, 2023, at 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Kymco TW’s website and social media platforms. Whether it’s a new model or an innovative addition to the IONEX platform, this announcement is expected to be impactful and surprising.