6-9-2023 (HANOI) Indonesian ride-hailing company Gojek has announced plans to collaborate with Vietnamese startup Selex in order to provide battery-swap stations for its drivers in Vietnam. The initiative aims to enable Gojek drivers using electric motorbikes from Selex to charge their vehicles as quickly as refilling a gas tank. Selex has already established battery networks used by companies such as Grab and Lazada. Under the agreement, Gojek drivers will have access to home chargers and Selex’s “battery ATMs,” which are automated lockers where depleted batteries can be exchanged for fully charged ones.
This collaboration with Gojek will enhance the network effects of Selex, as the company produces batteries that are compatible with scooters from rival brands. By attracting more drivers to use its battery-swap stations, Selex plans to expand the number of station locations available.
Selex emphasizes the speed and cost savings offered by its battery-swapping system. It takes only two minutes to change batteries, and the company claims that drivers can save 35% on energy costs and 50% on maintenance expenses compared to using combustion-engine motorbikes. The startup, based in Hanoi, also highlights the durability of its vehicles, which meet rigorous international standards for water resistance and are designed to navigate steep slopes and uneven terrains.
Vietnam is a major market for motorbikes, and the country’s tropical climate with monsoon seasons often leads to flash floods. As a result, there is a growing shift towards electric vehicles in the market. VinFast, an electric vehicle producer in Vietnam, supplies e-scooters to Be Group, a competing ride-hailing platform.
In addition to the partnership with Selex, Gojek is also sourcing electric vehicles from Dat Bike in Vietnam and investing in Indonesian company Electrum, which aims to manufacture up to 1 million electric motorbikes annually.
Gojek Vietnam’s general manager, Sumit Rathor, stated that this partnership will contribute to GoTo Group’s commitment to achieving zero emissions and transitioning their fleet to 100% electric vehicles by 2030. GoTo Group is the Indonesian technology firm formed by Gojek’s merger with local e-commerce giant Tokopedia.
Selex has also secured a deal with refrigerated goods transporter ABA Cooltrans, which will pilot 100 Selex bikes for cold-chain logistics, with plans to expand to 1,000 bikes in Vietnam within three years.
Selex’s CEO, Nguyen Nguyen, highlighted the advantages of the battery-swapping network, noting that buyers do not have to pay the full cost of the battery upfront but can spread the expenses over time. He compared the pay-as-you-go battery lockers to gas stations, where individuals only pay for the fuel they use.
Gojek has not disclosed whether it will cover the entire cost of electric vehicles or how many drivers will transition to using them. The EVs provided by Gojek will be utilized for transporting riders, food, and packages.
Selex has received investments from ADB Ventures, Schneider Electric Energy Access Asia, and Vietnam’s Touchstone Partners. The company has also secured EV deals with Baemin, Viettel, and DHL.
