Swappable Batteries Motorcycle Consortium (SBMC) grows to 21 members

Founded in September 2021 by KTM, Honda, Piaggio and Yamaha, the Swappable Batteries Motorcycle Consortium (SBMC) has grown to 21 members. The mission of the SBMC is to accelerate the deployment of swappable battery systems by developing and promoting new common technical specifications towards global and open standardization. Its aim is to ensure full interoperability of swapping batteries to facilitate their application and boost sustainable mobility.

The current members are – AVL, Ciklo, FIVE, Forsee Power, Hioki, Honda, Hyba, JAMA, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, Niu, Piaggio, Polaris, Roki, Samsung, Sinbon, Sumitomo Electric, Suzuki, Swobbee, Vitesco, VeNetWork, Yamaha. 

At the SBMC Summit held in July 2022, at the KTM Motohall in Mattighofen, Austria, the vision, strategy and operations of the consortium were established across its members, committees and working groups. The set of relevant technical specifications was agreed upon, and the SBMC’s work streams on prototyping and standardization were kicked off. The corsortium’s approach has enabled it to overcome the technical challenges of developing interconnected and compatible systems. The SBMC is on track to achieve its goals as planned, said an official release.

Technical Scope of SBMC

SBMC intends to set the ‘standard’ battery specifications and requirements, best fit for light vehicles.

• Suitable for different vehicle categories and usages – ​L1e-B, L2e, L3e-A1/A2, L5e, L6e, L7e 
• Drivetrain power – Up to 11kW nominal (~20kWp) 
• Voltage range  – 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
​• 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 connections possible, max 2 in serial and max 8 in parallel configuration.

The consortium also will define a common vehicle interface, which works across all brands and models and complies with an external interface in the swapping station, where the batteries are charged at the same time. This means that connectors will be standardized, as well as the communication protocol between the vehicle, the battery, and the charging station. Electrical, mechanical, and safety requirements will need to be addressed too, and in line with international regulations.

Test activities and pilots with prototype motorcycles will prove the technical feasibility. 

• External geometries and vehicle mechanical interface to correspond with the swapping station interface
• Connectors
• Communication protocol between vehicle and swapping station
• Electrical, Mechanical and Safety requirements in line with international regulations