Honda Motor Co and Panasonic Corporation are to conduct a research experiment in Indonesia on battery sharing using the Honda Mobile Power Pack detachable mobile battery with electric mobility products, including electric motorcycles powered by the Mobile Power Pack. The two companies are planning to begin the research experiment in December 2018.

This research experiment will be conducted as one of the projects subsidised by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO) under the theme of a ‘research experiment of mobile battery sharing as distributed energy resources’.

As the third largest motorcycle market in the world, Indonesia is facing air pollution issues associated with the increase in traffic volume. To address this, the Indonesian government has announced a policy to facilitate the widespread use of electric mobility products.

For this research experiment, the two companies will install charging stations at several locations, which will charge multiple units of the Mobile Power Pack simultaneously and supply fully-charged Mobile Power Packs to users at any time. Users of electric mobility products who experience a low battery level can stop at the nearest charging station and exchange their Mobile Power Pack for a fully-charged one and get back on the road.

The pilot project in Indonesia will see Honda, Panasonic and Pacific Consultants Co set up a joint venture company in Jakarta. Pacific Consultants will be responsible for overall arrangements for the research experiment including on-site surveys and coordination with local companies.