Gogoro and Hero Motocorp Partnership

Gogoro Expands Battery-Swapping Technology to India with Hero MotoCorp

Nearly a quarter of all monthly scooter sales in Taiwan are now attributed to electric scooters utilizing Gogoro’s innovative, swappable battery system. However, the company’s co-founder and CEO, Horace Luke, is frequently questioned regarding international expansion plans.

Strategic Partnership Announced

Luke revealed that Gogoro has been diligently preparing for global outreach. Today, that preparation culminates in a strategic alliance with Hero MotoCorp, a leading two-wheeled vehicle manufacturer globally and the dominant force in the Indian market.

This collaboration involves the establishment of a joint venture dedicated to constructing a battery-swapping infrastructure throughout India. Furthermore, Hero MotoCorp will introduce a new line of electric two-wheelers, leveraging Gogoro’s advanced technology and branding them under its own established name. This represents Hero MotoCorp’s inaugural venture into the electric vehicle sector.

Initial Focus and Future Expansion

The initial focus of this partnership will be the Indian market, with subsequent expansion planned into Hero MotoCorp’s existing network of 40 countries. Specific details, including the debut vehicle, launch locations, and pricing structures, will be disclosed at a later date. Luke indicated that deployment will occur at a swift pace.

Gogoro's Platform Approach

Luke views this partnership as a significant validation of Gogoro’s ambition to evolve into a comprehensive battery-swapping and smart mobility platform. The company aims to provide a complete, readily deployable technological solution for businesses seeking to develop energy-efficient vehicles.

“Our technology, capabilities, and business model were intentionally designed with the hope of attracting a major player like Hero,” Luke stated.

A Gradual International Rollout

Gogoro launched its first Smartscooter in 2015. Since then, it has forged partnerships with manufacturers such as Yamaha, PGO, and A-Motor to integrate its technology into their electric scooter offerings. However, Gogoro’s international expansion has been measured; examples include a delivery fleet in South Korea and a collaboration with the now-discontinued Coup scooter-sharing service in Europe. Its initial U.S. product launch centered on Eeyo, its electric bicycle brand, rather than scooters.

Long-Term Collaboration

Discussions between Gogoro and Hero MotoCorp have spanned over a year, and Luke considers this partnership to be among the most pivotal agreements the company has secured.

“Achieving substantial change necessitates widespread adoption. Taiwan has served as an ideal testing ground for our technology, allowing us to refine it and demonstrate the viability of a swap-and-go system—as opposed to traditional plug-and-charge—for lightweight personal transportation,” Luke explained.

Addressing Range Anxiety in India

India presents a considerably larger market than Taiwan, both geographically and demographically. Government incentives promoting electric vehicle adoption, coupled with the country’s high fuel costs, are driving demand. However, a key concern for potential buyers is “range anxiety,” the fear of limited driving range on a single charge.

The joint venture between Gogoro and Hero MotoCorp to establish battery-swapping stations directly addresses this concern. Gogoro currently operates a network of over 2,000 battery swapping/charging stations in Taiwan, serving a rider base of more than 375,000 and facilitating 265,000 battery swaps daily. This high density, accessible through Gogoro’s smartphone app, is a major advantage.

One of Gogoro’s battery swapping stations. Image Credits: Gogoro

Gogoro Network and Battery Longevity

Gogoro’s batteries and stations are integrated with the Gogoro Network cloud service, which continuously monitors battery health and optimizes charging speeds. This system contributes to exceptional battery longevity—Luke notes that the company has not retired any of its Smart Batteries in six years. Data collected by the Gogoro Network also informs strategic station placement. In India, the initial deployment will prioritize densely populated areas, with further expansion guided by demand, mirroring Gogoro’s successful approach in Taiwan.

Future International Growth

Following India, Gogoro and Hero MotoCorp intend to extend their collaboration to other markets, accelerating Gogoro’s global reach.

“The significance of this partnership lies in Hero’s influence within the two-wheel market and the importance of that market in emerging economies,” Luke emphasized.

Hero MotoCorp's Perspective

Dr. Pawan Munjal, chairman and CEO of Hero MotoCorp, stated in a press release that this partnership is a natural progression of the company’s ongoing research and development efforts in the electric vehicle space.

“This marks a significant milestone in our journey, combining Hero’s leadership in two-wheelers, our global scale, and innovation capabilities with Gogoro’s expertise in the battery-swapping business model, as demonstrated in Taiwan and worldwide,” Munjal added.