This is where battery-swapping stations come into play as a safer, more practical solution. These stations provide a designated, managed space where users can recharge without the risks associated with home charging.
While no battery is completely fire-proof, battery-swapping facilities are equipped to localize and manage potential incidents, offering a safer alternative that reduces home fire hazards.
Many users may be unfamiliar with safe electrical configurations, and in densely populated neighborhoods, improper wiring or voltage fluctuations can raise the risk of fires, creating safety issues not only for the user but for the surrounding community as well.
Battery-swapping is also ideal for heavy users who cover long distances, sometimes up to 150 kilometers in a single day. Without the need to invest in an electric motorbike with a larger, more expensive battery, users can simply swap as needed, making EVs a practical and affordable choice.
Swap’s approach makes it possible to own an electric motorbike and access power flexibly without the long-term costs of frequent battery replacements.
But the process isn’t as simple as swapping out a power bank, but rather designed to maximize user experience. Unlike standard phone chargers, which operate on a uniform voltage like 3.2 volts, motorbike batteries vary significantly. Some require 48 volts, others 60, 72, or even 96 volts, and the amperage demands also vary – some motors need 80 amps, others 100.
Using a one-size-fits-all battery would limit the motorbike’s performance, impacting the quality of the ride.
Just as an Android device requires specific software to run smoothly, Swap’s batteries must connect seamlessly with the motorbike’s operating system. Otherwise, users would have a disconnected experience, where they’d need to monitor battery levels on their phones instead of seeing it displayed on their speedometers.
To streamline the experience, Swap’s battery-swapping stations recognize each user’s battery and motorbike ID, so there’s no need to pull out a phone. The process is intuitive and efficient, with users able to swap batteries quickly and get back on the road.
Their strong commitment to user experience starts way before the product reaches the consumers hand, and all the way at the production level. Quality control (QC) is essential to ensure stability and reliability, as they conduct rigorous checks on all parts before assembly.
Of course, no system is perfect, and bugs are part of the process. With the goal to minimize both the frequency and impact of these issues, they refer to the Parts Per Million (PPM) metric as a benchmark, tracking any defect rates and work continuously to reduce them – from an initial 1 in every 100, down to 1 in 1,000, then 1 in 10,000, constantly pushing for improvements .
To prioritize customer satisfaction and enhance user experience, Swap has consistently sought customer feedback, learning invaluable lessons that have shaped its business model and distribution strategies.
One key insight Swap gained was in pricing. Rather than charging per swap, which could quickly become inefficient, Swap adopted a model similar to mobile data packages. Although charging by ampere hours might make sense technically, it’s not intuitive for most users.
Instead, Swap introduced distance-based packages, much like purchasing data plans or ride packages like Telkomsel (mobile operator). This way, customers know exactly what they’re paying for: a fixed number of kilometers, making it easier for them to understand and budget.
Scaling the swap stations has been another priority for Swap. Initially, Swap launched with stations holding only three battery slots. In 2022, the company opened 50 swap stations in Jakarta, but quickly realized that this wasn’t enough to meet demand.
It became clear that a city like Jakarta required a minimum of 200 stations to foster user confidence and convenience in the network. As more stations appeared, customers began trusting the system and station usage steadily rose.
With increasing demand, Swap expanded each station’s capacity, but peak times continued to pose challenges – especially during rush hours when people commute.
Similar to traditional gas stations, customers tend to charge up at predictable times each day. In high-traffic areas like Mega Kuningan, Swap installed multiple eight-slot stations within a kilometer of each other, but even that wasn’t sufficient during peak hours.
This insight led Swap to recognize that adding more scattered stations wasn’t enough; they began constructing larger “swap hubs” with 10 stations in one location to more effectively manage high demand.
This shift highlighted how motorbike users’ behavior differs significantly from other battery-sharing models, such as phone power banks. With power banks, small, dispersed stations in malls or cafes work well for quick returns. However, motorbike users prioritize reliability, especially during peak hours, so centralized hubs became a more practical solution, ensuring riders could always find a battery when needed.
Swap also refined its reservation system based on customer behavior. Initially, users could reserve a battery, but we had a user that reserved multiple batteries simultaneously out of concern they’d miss out, which left others unable to access any. To enhance access for all, Swap updated the system to allow only one reservation per user at a time.
When it comes to sustainability, the question arises: what happens to EV batteries once they reach the end of their life cycle? In Swap’s approach, a battery’s journey doesn’t end when its State of Health (SoH) falls below 80%. Instead, it opens two pathways: repurposing for a “second life” or recycling.
For second-life use, batteries are first carefully dismantled and inspected to identify any cells still in good condition. Qualified cells are then repurposed for applications with lower power demands, such as powering solar panels, street lighting, or UPS systems.
Unlike motorbikes, these uses require slower discharge rates and less energy output, allowing the batteries to last much longer in these secondary roles. Some cells even find a new purpose in electric bikes, where the power demands are lower, making this an affordable, efficient way to extend the battery’s lifespan.
If a battery’s cells can’t be repurposed, the next step is recycling. Swap collaborates with recyclers who use hydrometallurgy to break down old batteries. This process involves crushing the batteries into a material known as “black mass,” which is then separated into reusable components.
While recycling can be a more costly process, it plays a crucial role in responsibly managing battery waste and reintegrating valuable materials into the battery production cycle.
This strategy helps ensure that not only does it support a cleaner, more circular economy in the EV landscape, but also ensures economic value is maximized in the process.
Kevin has an optimistic view of the future of Indonesia’s EV and battery landscape. Looking forward, the energy and battery sectors are buzzing with potential, especially with government-backed programs.
Initiatives like the 1,000,000 Houses program are expected to spark significant demand across transportation and housing sectors, paving the way for growth opportunities in EV adoption.
As logistics needs intensify, companies will naturally seek ways to cut costs, and electric vehicles – particularly trucks – offer a promising route to boosting margins. Currently, electric trucks are still not widely adopted in Indonesia, with most being modified gasoline vehicles due to the limited availability of market-ready electric options. But as battery prices drop amid fierce competition in China, this landscape is poised to change.
Smaller, more efficient batteries entering the market are transformative, especially for the logistics sector. Starting next year, we’re likely to see a wider range of electric vehicles, from two-wheelers to six-wheel trucks, at competitive prices.
Chinese manufacturers are prepared to meet the demand for affordable, high-quality electric vehicles, which could fuel intense market competition.
Ultimately, addressing the talent and technology gap will be key for Indonesia to maintain its footing in the evolving EV market.
