Connect with us

Published

on

Gogoro’s international expansion has been going quickly, with the Taiwan-based swappable battery and electric scooter company now announcing a partnership with Gojek to enter the Indonesian market.

Indonesia is the third largest market in the world for two-wheeled vehicles like scooters and motorcycles, after China and India (two markets that Gogoro has already announced plans to enter).

Motorcycles make up the dominant form of transportation in Indonesia, outnumbering cars nearly seven-to-one. That makes them a major target for electrification.

To begin operations in the island nation, Gogoro teamed up with Jakarta-based mobility and on-demand platform Gojek.

Gojek’s operations are numerous, but the most interesting to Gogoro is their large fleet of motorcycle delivery drivers. Many can cover hundreds of kilometers a day, almost entirely on gas-powered motorcycles. Gojek and Gogoro will work together to help equip those riders with Gogoro’s electric scooters instead, offering a better performing, cleaner, and greener alternative.

The Gogoro electric scooters to be used in the pilot are capable of speeds above 80 km/h (50 mph), making them useful for a variety of roads in urban areas.

Most importantly, though, the partnership won’t just see Gogoro’s electric vehicles enter Indonesia, but also the company’s world famous battery swapping system.

Gogoro’s GoStations house anywhere from dozens to hundreds of swappable battery packs. Riders can simply pull up to a station and swap in a full battery or two, replacing the drained batteries in their vehicle with freshly charged packs.

As Gogoro’s founder and CEO Horace Luke explained:

“One of the greatest challenges of our time, in Indonesia and around the world, is transforming our urban transportation into a new generation of smart and sustainable electric two-wheel transportation that is accessible and people can embrace. Together with Gojek, and the Indonesian government’s support, we are on a path to making this happen. Gogoro battery swapping is a new generation of electric fueling that provides an open platform for two-wheel vehicle makers to introduce new electric vehicles that enable fast, safe and easy to use refueling.”

The partnership will begin a pilot, testing 250 Gogoro vehicles and four battery swap stations, in Jakarta, before scaling up to a planned 5,000 vehicles and additional battery swap stations.

Gogoro has more experience than any other swappable battery company in the world, and will apply in Indonesia what it learned from setting up its massive network in Taiwan. There, the company oversees 270,000 battery swaps each day, with a service that counts 400,000 riders.

Over 250 million battery swaps have occurred at Gogoro’s 2,100 battery swap stations in Taiwan so far, and that number continues to grow at an impressive rate.

With 7 million two-wheeled vehicles sold per year in Indonesia, and only 3% of them electric, Gogoro and Gojek are hoping to revolutionize the market with a massive shift towards electric vehicles.

As Gojek’s Chief Transport Officer Raditya Wibowo explained in a call with Electrek:

“What we aim to do is change the market’s perception of what an electric motorcycle can do. What you’ve seen with the capabilities of Gogoro bikes so far, we think that will definitely help us educate the consumers. Currently in Indonesia, no one thinks electric bikes can really be used to replace petrol bikes. And that’s what we’re aiming to change. “


Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to the podcast.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Aubrey Plaza says death of filmmaker husband is an ‘unimaginable tragedy’

Published

on

By

Aubrey Plaza says death of filmmaker husband is an 'unimaginable tragedy'

Actress Aubrey Plaza has described the death of her filmmaker husband as an “unimaginable tragedy”.

Jeff Baena was pronounced dead at 10.39am on Friday at a home near the Hollywood Hills and Los Feliz areas of Los Angeles.

On Monday, a medical examiner ruled the 47-year-old had taken his own life.

In a statement released to the media, Parks And Recreation star Plaza, 40, said: “This is an unimaginable tragedy.

“We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.”

Baena, a director and screenwriter, worked with Plaza on 2014 horror film Life After Beth and 2017 historical comedy The Little Hours.

The couple had been in a relationship since about 2011 and married in 2021.

Pic: AP
Image:
Jeff Baena and Aubrey Plaza. Pic: AP

Previously, Plaza told The Ellen DeGeneres Show she and Baena “got a little bored one night” during the COVID pandemic and decided to wed after celebrating their 10th anniversary.

She said after finding a wedding officiant online to perform the ceremony in their garden, she “created a very quick love altar in our yard” where they married.

Baena wrote 2020 thriller Horse Girl, starring Alison Brie, and 2022 dark comedy Spin Me Round, both of which he also directed.

He also co-wrote the 2004 comedy I Heart Huckabees alongside director David O Russell, which boasted a stacked cast that included Jude Law, Jason Schwartzman, Dustin Hoffman, Naomi Watts, Lily Tomlin and Mark Wahlberg.

Baena created the anthology comedy series Cinema Toast, which had an episode directed by Plaza and another starring Community actress Brie.

On X, Hollywood actor and comedian Marc Maron wrote: “Very sad about the tragic loss of a true artist and sweet guy.”

Sundance Film Festival, where Baena’s directorial debut Life After Beth premiered in 2014, wrote: “We extend our heartfelt thanks to Jeff Baena for sharing his stories and contributing to the lasting memories we’ve built together.

“Jeff, we’ll miss your wit, humour, and daring vision. Rest in peace, friend.”

Plaza had been announced as a presenter at Sunday’s Golden Globes ceremony earlier this week before her husband’s death.

Read more from Sky News:
RuPaul says ‘heart is broken’ following death of The Vivienne
Golden Globes 2025: The full list of winners

Director Brady Corbet, who won best director for his film, The Brutalist, said in his acceptance speech: “My heart is with Aubrey Plaza and Jeff’s family.”

Plaza was nominated for a Golden Globe in 2023 for her role in the second series of HBO dark comedy White Lotus and is also known for Disney+ series Agatha All Along, and films including Megalopolis, My Old Ass, Ingrid Goes West, Dirty Grandpa and Emily The Criminal.

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed it attended the residence where Baena died and said a coroner will lead the investigation.

If you are in need of support, Samaritans run a helpline which is open day and night, 365 days a year, on 116 123. You can also email jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

RuPaul says his ‘heart is broken’ following death of The Vivienne

Published

on

By

RuPaul says his 'heart is broken' following death of The Vivienne

RuPaul has said his “heart is broken” following the death of former Drag Race winner, The Vivienne.

The drag queen and TV presenter said on Instagram on Monday he joined the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Vivienne, whom he called “an incredibly talented queen and a lovely human being”.

The Vivienne, whose real name was James Lee Williams, won the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019.

Read more: The Vivienne’s rise as a drag ‘trailblazer’

The 32-year-old’s death was confirmed by their publicist Simon Jones on Sunday evening.

Danny Beard, who won the reality show in 2022, called The Vivienne “a proper entertainer” and “one of the most passionate, talented, geeky, girls I’ve ever known” and their death meant “there’s a piece missing now”.

Cheddar Gorgeous, that year’s runner-up, said on Instagram they had lost “a peer, a friend and an icon”, adding that “the entire world of entertainment grieves” and it was “impossible to make sense of such sadness”.

RuPaul joined the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Vivienne
Image:
RuPaul joined the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Vivienne

Bagachipz said on social media they would “talk to you before I go onstage for every single show I do”, calling The Vivienne a “powerhouse when you hit that stage”.

The Vivienne’s ex-husband, David Ludford, said the performer “made me feel love and shown me what it was really like to love someone”.

The Vivienne at the UK premiere of Wicked in November. Pic: AP
Image:
The Vivienne at the UK premiere of Wicked in November. Pic: AP

The Vivienne, 32, rose to prominence in 2015 after becoming the UK Drag Ambassador for the American series of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

The show sees drag queens competing in front of a panel of judges to become the next drag superstar.

The Vivienne, whose drag name came from their love of designer Vivienne Westwood, later competed in the first UK series of the show in 2019, going on to win it after lip-syncing in the final to the Wham! hit I’m Your Man.

Williams, who was born in Wales, also came third on the 2023 series of Dancing On Ice.

Read more:
Golden Globes winners revealed
Meghan’s cooking show secrets revealed

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said officers were called to a house in Chorlton-by-Backford, near Chester, at 12.22pm on Sunday following reports of a sudden death.

The force said there were “no suspicious circumstances”.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Golden Globes 2025: Emilia Perez, The Brutalist, Wicked, Baby Reindeer and Shogun among the night’s big winners

Published

on

By

Golden Globes 2025: Emilia Perez, The Brutalist, Wicked, Baby Reindeer and Shogun among the night's big winners

Emilia Perez and The Brutalist were the big film winners at this year’s Golden Globe Awards, with Shogun and Baby Reindeer leading the field for TV.

Emilia Perez, an operatic musical which tells the story of a Mexican drug lord who changes gender, was named best comedy or musical, best non-English language film and also won best song, while star Zoe Saldana picked up the award for best supporting actress.

Accepting the film’s top award, trans actress Karla Sofia Gascon, 52, told the audience: “The light always wins over darkness. You can maybe put us in jail. You can beat us up. But you never can take away our soul or existence or identity… I am who I am. Not who you want.”

Postwar epic The Brutalist won the awards for best drama, best actor for star Adrien Brody – who plays a Hungarian architect attempting to build a life in the US after the Second World War in the film – and best director for Brady Corbet.

Adrien Brody, winner of the award for best male actor in a drama, for The Brutalist, with his co-stars Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce. Pic: AP
Image:
The Brutalist actor Adrien Brody, winner of the award for best male actor in a drama, with his co-stars Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce. Pic: AP

Kieran Culkin picked up the Golden Globe for best performance by an actor in a supporting role for A Real Pain. Pic: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni
Image:
Kieran Culkin was among the acting winners for his performance in A Real Pain. Pic: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

There were also acting wins for Demi Moore (The Substance), Sebastian Stan (A Different Man), Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here) and Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain).

Moore, 62, gave an emotional speech as she collected her statuette, saying it was the first award of her 45-year acting career and that she was “in shock” to beat the likes of Wicked star Cynthia Erivo and Challengers actress Zendaya.

Demi Moore picked up the Golden Globe for best performance by a female actor in a motion picture - musical or comedy - for The Substance. Pic: AP
Image:
Demi Moore picked up the Golden Globe for best performance by a female actor in a motion picture – musical or comedy – for The Substance. Pic: AP

Wicked stars and filmmakers (L-R): Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Marc Platt, and Jon M Chu. Pic: AP
Image:
Wicked stars and filmmakers (L-R): Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Marc Platt, and Jon M Chu. Pic: AP

“Thirty years ago, I had a producer tell me that I was a popcorn actress,” she said, adding that it made her feel that while she could make box office hits, she would never be “acknowledged”. When she came across the script for The Substance, however, she said it felt like the universe telling her, “you’re not done”.

The Wizard Of Oz prequel blockbuster Wicked, the most talked about film of the year, missed out on acting awards for its stars Erivo and Ariana Grande, but took home the cinematic and box office achievement prize.

In his speech, director Jon M Chu said: “In a time where pessimism and cynicism rule the planet, that we can still make art that is a radical act of optimism that is empowerment and that is joy… this means so much to all of us.”

Baby Reindeer and the other TV wins

Hiroyuki Sanada was named best actor in a TV series for Shogun at the 2025 Golden Globes. Pic: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
Image:
Hiroyuki Sanada scooped one of three acting awards for Shogun. Pic: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters


In the TV categories, Japenese historical drama Shogun dominated, picking up three acting awards for its stars Hiroyuki Sanada, Anna Sawai and Tadanobu Asano, and also the prize for best drama.

Baby Reindeer also had a successful night, with a supporting gong for actress Jessica Gunning, and the award for best limited series.

The series, about a comedian and barman who is stalked by an older woman, was a huge hit and criticially acclaimed, but has more recently made headlines for facing a lawsuit from a woman who says the show identified her as the “real” Martha, the character played by Gunning.

Wim De Greef, Jessica Gunning, Petra Fried, Ed McDonald, Richard Gadd, Nava Mau, and Matt Jarvis pick up the award for best limited TV series for Baby Reindeer at the Golden Globes. Pic: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni
Image:
Baby Reindeer was named best limited TV series. Pic: Reuters

Accepting the award, creator and star Richard Gadd told the audience that people often ask him why such a dark show has been so successful.

“I think in a lot of ways, people were kind of crying out for something that… spoke to the kind of painful inconsistencies of being human,” the 35-year-old said. I think for a while now, there’s been this kind of belief in television that stories that are too dark and complicated won’t sell and no one will watch them.

“So I hope that Baby Reindeer has done away with that theory. Because I think right now, when the world’s in the state that it’s in, and people are really struggling, we need stories that speak to the complicated and difficult nature of our times.”

Read more:
The red carpet in pictures
The full list of winners

Colin Farrell won the Golden Globe for best actor in a limited series, anthology or film made for TV, for The Penguin. Pic: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni
Image:
Colin Farrell was recognised for his performance in The Penguin. Pic: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni


Gadd missed out on the acting award in the show’s category – which was won by Irish star Colin Farrell, 48, for his portrayal of Batman villain Penguin in the series of the same name.

Farrell, who wore heavy prosthetics as he campaigned to be the new kingpin of Gotham in the show, joked on stage that he had “no one to thank” and that he “did it all by myself”.

The ceremony in Los Angeles was hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser, who made jokes about everything from Ozempic, the drug being used for weight loss by Hollywood stars, to Sean “Diddy” Combs – who has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking and racketeering and is currently in jail awaiting trial after being arrested last year.

“Welcome to the 82nd Golden Globes, Ozempic’s biggest night,” Glaser said as she opened the ceremony.

She also referenced the huge A-list support for Kamala Harris in the election – and how it didn’t translate to a win.

“You could really do anything… except tell the country who to vote for,” she said.

Ahead of the evented, authorities said they had implemented “increased security measures” following the vehicle attack in New Orleans and Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion on New Year’s Day.

A heavy police presence surrounded the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles, with a wider and more enforced perimeter than usual around the hotel.

Continue Reading

Trending