Blueshark expands battery swap network to 15 locations in Klang Valley

SHAH ALAM: Blueshark’s R1 smart electric scooters have access to Malaysia’s first commercially available battery swap infrastructure while also being able to recharge from any standard wall socket or simply remove the batteries and charge them via the home charging kit, which is especially useful if access to a wall socket is not immediately available or if one resides in a high-rise building.

Blueshark, a subsidiary of Sharkgulf Technologies Group, has expanded its battery swapping BlueStation network to 15 locations across the Klang Valley.

The BlueStations are installed at select Petronas service stations to allow more Blueshark riders to enjoy the benefits of battery swapping.

Jin Chan, group COO (ASEAN), Blueshark Ecosystem Sdn Bhd said, “At Blueshark, we have always believed that battery-swapping technology is key to accelerate EV motorcycle adoption in Malaysia. This expansion of Blueshark’s BlueStation battery swapping network widens our coverage of key central areas and enhances Blueshark’s offerings to as many riders as possible."

The expansion sees 10 more BlueStations installed at select Petronas service stations in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor including in Bangsar, Damansara Jaya, Cheras, Kepong, and Kota Damansara, adding to the five original BlueStations made available at the launch of the Blueshark R series Smart Electric Scooter in March 2023.

Plans are in place to expand the BlueStation network further, starting with even more locations throughout the Klang Valley and eventually, to various outstation locations including Johor and Penang, with a targeted 50 BlueStations installed throughout the country by end-2024.

“Supported by our end-to-end ecosystem and with greater efficiency, lower energy costs and fewer moving parts on our R1, we can help accelerate EV adoption while reducing emissions. This is truly the best time to consider switching to electric motorcycles, with the expansion of Blueshark’s battery swapping network, coupled with the ongoing MARiiCas RM2,400 EV motorcycle rebate and Blueshark’s Hari Raya offers and other promotions, electromobility has never been more stylish, affordable, or convenient”, Jin continued.

Often, challenges for EV adoption revolve around the high pricing, product quality, range anxiety, charging facilities, charging time, battery lifespan, second-hand value, and the replacement cost of old batteries.

Blueshark’s BlueSwap subscription plans and battery leasing option make the proposition even more appealing as not only is the bike cheaper to buy, but riders do not have to purchase the batteries outright or worry about battery lifespan or warranty and battery management or replacement.

The Blueshark R1, with its unique swappable batteries that overcomes the key stigmas of EVs – long recharge times, range anxiety and battery lifecycle management to provide an impressive range of up to 110km on a single charge (NEDC), with a top speed of up to 90km/h and peak torque of 201Nm.

It also offers numerous features and tech previously unheard of on a motorcycle, such as an ADAS system, over 70 sensors, an Internet of Vehicles (IoV) enabled Smart ArkRide OS with HD display, front and rear cameras, GPS/4G and Bluetooth integration, built-in speakers, and more.

Better and Safer Battery Technology

To allay safety concerns and ensure uninterrupted electromobility, Blueshark’s highly durable and efficient Dual Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery packs have an average lifespan of four to five years (approximately 2,000 full, 0-100% charging cycles, four times as long as other battery technologies) with a very high degree of safety and fire retardation systems built into them with over 20 sensors that monitor battery state and condition, including short-circuit, open circuit, overcurrent and overcharge protection, while having a very high ignition point of 800 degrees Celsius for fire retardation.

In terms of safety and security, the BlueStations are also equipped with CCTV cameras for 24-hour recording, smart controls for temperature, fire, short-circuit and water damage, auto electricity cut-off and internal fire extinguishers if ever required and Blueshark has established a help and support number for WhatsApp assistance 24-hours a day, accessible by QR code on every BlueStation.

Blueshark is also a member of the National Standards Committee on Transport's BSS Working Group, formed in 2023 and led by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and Jabatan Standard Malaysia to develop and formulate standards and guidelines including the interoperability, integration, safety, and standards of a viable, standardised battery swap system for electric motorcycles in Malaysia.