Finally: A small electric car that uses Gogoro’s swappable battery packs
Today at the Japan Mobility Show, we’re getting our first look at an electric car concept that employs Gogoro’s swappable batteries. Called the Project X, it’s an initiative from the MIH Consortium developed by Foxconn.
With over a million of them on the road and counting, Gogoro’s swappable batteries have become the de facto standard for electric scooters.
It seems that nearly every time I write an article about a new Gogoro scooter or the expansion of the company’s swappable battery network, comments flow in about how small electric cars should use a similar battery system.
And they’re absolutely right – tiny electric cars that have multiple swappable batteries small enough to lift by hand would be a great way to democratize EVs in cities, especially for apartment dwellers without access to convenient charging locations. Why hunt for a place to charge at street-level and wait around for hours when you could just swap the batteries out in seconds like an oversized power drill?
The new Project X concept looks to address that scenario by creating an electric microcar that is powered by the same Gogoro batteries used in hundreds of thousands of battery swaps for electric scooters each day.
The design includes two bays for Gogoro’s batteries to be inserted. Most electric scooters use either one or two Gogoro batteries, and so a heavier electric car certainly needs at least two batteries.
I’d guess that four is likely a more appropriate number, though the whole point of the swappable battery system is to make range figures irrelevant. Since a six-second battery swap replaces a several-hour charging stop, urban users can simply swap and go while they are on their way.
The vehicle is said to offer customizable levels of autonomous driving from Level 2 to Level 4, as well as an adaptable interior with either a 2- or 3-seater design. When configured for two passengers, there’s more space remaining in the rear for cargo.
Those that want to see the car in the flesh can check it out at the MIH booth at the Japan Mobility Show 2023, where it will be on display from now until November 5.
Electrek’s Take
Well, it’s about time! Gogoro’s batteries are an ideal swapping solution and I’ve had the pleasure of using them several times a week on my own electric scooter. Putting them in slightly larger vehicles to power electric microcars feels like a no-brainer to me. It makes such small electric cars even more attractive while giving cities even more reasons to install Gogoro’s swap stations.
The tech has already been proven in Taiwan, where thousands of stations dot the country. I haven’t seen it myself, but the density map below looks so hot in places that I’m guessing you can probably stand at one Gogoro swap station and see another one down the road. And keep in mind that the data from that map is a year and a half old, meaning there are even more stations deployed around the country today.
They’ve made it as easy as possible for people to switch to small electric vehicles like electric scooters, and the numbers speak for themselves with hundreds of thousands of battery swaps performed each day. As Gogoro’s batteries have expanded into other countries like India, China, Indonesia, The Philippines, South Korea, Israel, and others, we’re seeing firsthand how the system can meet the needs of riders (and perhaps soon drivers) around the world.
There’s of course no word yet on whether Project X will become a reality. But with Foxconn behind it, there’s a decent chance that this idea has wheels. The company is a leading manufacturer and already makes several electric vehicles as well as Gogoro’s batteries, so it sounds like a great match to me.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Toyota’s smallest electric vehicle might actually hit the road. Thanks to new funding from the UK government, Toyota is one step closer to turning this pint-sized EV with a solar roof into a reality.
The Toyota FT-Me is a micro EV with a solar roof
It may be only 2.5 meters (98″) long, but Toyota believes the tiny electric car could be an affordable way to zip around the city.
The FT-Me is “a ground breaking concept” that blends premium design with affordability, Toyota said after unveiling it in March.
After securing a £15 million ($20,000) investment from the UK government’s DRIVE35 program, Toyota is moving closer to actually launching the pint-sized EV.
The Advanced Propulsion Centre UK, which manages the funding, announced that the £30.3 million ($40,500) project includes a £15 million grant from the Department for Business and Trade. Toyota is expected to fund the other roughly £15 million.
Toyota is working with several partners, including urban delivery specialist ELM Mobility and the University of Derby, to develop a new lightweight battery electric vehicle (BEV) in the L6e category.
Meanwhile, Savcor will design and develop the solar roof, which Toyota claims can extend a vehicle’s range by 20%, or about 20 to 30 km per day.
The pint-sized EV will be manufactured at Toyota Manufacturing UK’s Burnaston site, where it currently builds the Corolla.
Although it’s about the size of a golf cart, Toyota promises the micro EV fits two passengers comfortably. The company also claims the FT-Me’s propulsion system uses 3X less energy per km than current high-capacity electric vehicles.
Inspired by a jet helmet, Toyota said the vehicle’s compact design makes it perfect for getting around the city. It only takes up about half a parking spot.
Toyota’s pint-sized EV could arrive as a potential rival to the Citroen Ami. The Ami starts at £7,695 ($10,000) OTR, offering a WLTP range of up to 46 miles.
Would you buy Toyota’s micro EV for about $10,000? It could be a fun (and efficient) way to zip around town. It’s basically a futuristic electric golf cart with a solar roof. Unfortunately, it likely will never make it to the US with America’s growing love for big trucks and SUVs.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
For years, Norway has been the poster child for electric vehicle adoption, a perfect example of how a combination of ambitious goals and robust incentives can transform a nation’s entire automotive industry.
Now, with the country on the cusp of achieving its goal of 100% all-electric new car sales by 2025, the Norwegian government is signaling a new phase in its EV strategy, proposing changes to its incentive program that include the introduction of taxes on electric vehicles.
We have often used Norway’s success in electrifying its vehicle fleet as an example of how quickly the electric transition can impact the automotive market under the right conditions.
They made it happen through a comprehensive package of incentives, including exemptions from purchase taxes and VAT, free access to toll roads and bus lanes, on top of properly taxing internal combustion engine vehicles.
This resulted in EVs being the preferred choice for a vast majority of new car buyers. In 2024, a staggering 88.9% of new cars sold in Norway were all-electric, a figure that has continued to climb in 2025.
Gasoline and diesel cars are now obsolete in the Norwegian new car market, with a few hundred new cars per month, while EVs represent roughly 95-97%.
Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg has announced mission accomplished (via Reuters):
“We have had a goal that all new passenger cars should be electric by 2025, and … we can say that the goal has been achieved.”
With the finish line in sight, the Norwegian government is now fine-tuning its approach.
The current incentive program maintains the crucial VAT exemption for EVs, but only up to a purchase price of 500,000 Norwegian kroner (approximately $49,000 USD). This move is designed to target more expensive, luxury EVs, ensuring that the incentive benefits a broader range of consumers.
However, the latest budget proposal aims to reduce the EV tax exemption to vehicles costing 300,000 Norwegian kroner (~30,000 USD).
This would apply for 2026, and then the tax exemption would completely end in 2027.
Additionally, the government plans to increase taxes on new gasoline and diesel cars, further widening the cost gap between polluting and zero-emission vehicles.
However, the proposal still needs to be adopted by Norway’s government, and there is some opposition.
EV associations are advocating for a more extended phase-out period to ensure that the adoption rate doesn’t decline.
Electrek’s Take
For EV enthusiasts such as myself, Norway’s journey has been a source of inspiration and a powerful argument against the claims of EV detractors. The country has proven that with the right policies, a rapid and comprehensive transition to electric mobility is not just a distant dream but an achievable reality.
That said, I do understand that Norway has a lot going for it. It is wealthy. And therefore, it made the transition easier than in most other markets.
Regarding the policy changes, I wouldn’t interpret them as a sign of retreat from the country’s electrification goals. Instead, they represent a maturation of Norway’s EV policy.
The proposed changes to Norway’s incentive program are a logical next step in this evolution. As the EV market matures, it’s natural for governments to reassess and adjust their policies. The key is to do so in a way that doesn’t derail the progress that has been made.
However, I do agree with the local EV advocates that it would make sense to extend the phase-out to ensure the market maintains its current near-100% EV rate for a few years.
The rest of the world has much to learn from Norway’s experience. The country has provided a blueprint for how to kickstart an EV revolution, and now it is showing us how to manage the transition to a fully electric future.
The message from Norway is clear: the age of the internal combustion engine is over. The future of transportation is electric, and it’s happening now.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Fully autonomous technology developer Waymo continues to expand the reach of its test fleet as well as bona fide customer rides without a driver present. This morning, Waymo shared plans to expand across the pond to London, with public robotaxi rides expected sooner than you might think.
2025 has already been a notable year for autonomous rideshare developer Waymo, as it continues to expand across the United States. This year alone, the Alphabet, Inc. subsidiary began offering customer rides in Austin, Texas, in addition to expansion plans for other cities such as Dallas and Nashville.
In late 2024, Waymo also announced plans to begin testing its robotaxis in Tokyo, Japan, marking the company’s first international expansion. Today, Waymo shared plans for global market growth in the opposite direction, laying the groundwork for robotaxi operations in London as early as next year.
Waymo to offer public robotaxi rides in London in 2026
According to a release from Waymo this morning, the company has begun plans to expand its driverless robotaxi operations to London, laying the initial groundwork for certifications to start commercial operations by 2026. The company said it will be working with existing fleet partner Moove, which will assist with London operations. Per Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana:
We’re thrilled to bring the reliability, safety and magic of Waymo to Londoners. Waymo is making roads safer and transportation more accessible where we operate. We’ve demonstrated how to responsibly scale fully autonomous ride-hailing, and we can’t wait to expand the benefits of our technology to the United Kingdom.
Over the coming months, Waymo plans to test its technology on London roads, seeking permission from local leaders. Once that happens, Waymo will be able to begin offering the public robotaxi services using all-electric I-Pace vehicles from UK automaker Jaguar Land Rover. When available, Londoners will be able to hail a ride via the Waymo app.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports2 years agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports3 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Sports3 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment1 year agoHere are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in October 2024