Electric motorcycle taxis to benefit from Toshiba SCiB battery

BANGKOK: Toshiba Corp recently showcased its SCiB rechargeable lithium-ion battery in Bangkok, and highlighted its exceptional characteristics of long lifespan and intrinsic safety, to elevate the safety and reliability of electric motorcycle taxis.

In a statement, Toshiba says SCiB's unique features have the potential to play a significant role in the transition towards sustainable urban transportation in Thailand.

Toshiba pointed out that manufacturers of e-motorcycles face significant challenges in commercializing their products, primarily due to safety concerns surrounding conventional lithium-ion batteries.

These issues include fire risks under various stressors and performance degradation over time, worsened by the tropical heat and humidity prevalent in Southeast Asian countries.

The increasing risk of accidents as batteries age further complicates the integration of these vehicles into the transportation sector.

The Toshiba SCiB battery's innovative lithium titanium oxide (LTO) anode chemistry is said to offer superior safety, longevity, and performance in challenging environments, in contrast to the conventional carbon-based materials used in typical lithium-ion batteries.

It demonstrates remarkable resilience, resisting internal short circuits and maintaining integrity during rigorous safety tests.

SCiB maintains its performance through over 20,000 charge-discharge cycles with minimal degradation.

Furthermore, its rapid-charging capability allows for recharging from zero to over 80% capacity in just six minutes, ensuring minimal downtime for e-motorcycles.

These features directly address the safety, longevity, and performance issues hindering electric motorcycle adoption in the region.

In September 2024, Toshiba partnered with naturenix inc., a Japan battery technology startup from Shimane University, and Windee International, a joint venture with Thailand's parking management servicer, to launch a demonstration test of battery subscription service for e-motorcycle taxis in Bangkok.

Such a battery subscription service is expected to allow users to access to the advanced and well-maintained battery technology in a cost-effective way.

The ongoing trial is yielding promising results, highlighting the Toshiba SCiB battery's capacity to deliver efficient and practical solutions.