LEVA-EU took part in the debate “Swappable Batteries – a clean revolution for European Urban Mobility?” organised by the Stan4Swap project at the European Parliament on 9 April.

Funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, the project sets out to propose a standardisation roadmap in Europe for swappable battery systems for light electric vehicles.

The project is coordinated by Piaggio, and the consortium includes CENELEC, HYBA, Swobbee, KTM, Fraunhofer, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and BMGI consulting.

The event was opened by MEP Pierfrancesco Maran.

On behalf of LEVA-EU, Harold Tor-Daenens made the following interventions about concept proposed by the project:

1. The Stan4Swap project seems to be limited to L3e vehicles (electric motorcycles) while the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation calls for looking at all L-category vehicles. Any proposal of swappable battery standards will require further consultation with all other categories.
2. The concept of swappable battery stations will require alignment with the new Battery Regulation. Some clauses within the regulation such as the future digital battery passport and the safety requirements against the removability of batteries by end-users would need to be addressed.
3. For swappable battery stations to work, they need to be profitable. The concept needs to have a clear business case – firmly supported by regulation – which is outside the scope of the project.

Echoing the input by other participants on how EU policymakers should embrace LEVs as an integral part of logistics and supply chain deliveries, Harold Tor-Daenens made the point that the European Commission should enlarge the definition of “corporate fleet” to include all LEVs. This will not only help the EU advance rapidly towards its climate goals and open up the economic possibilities for innovative ideas such as swappable battery stations for LEVs.

This point was kindly taken note of by representatives of DG GROW and DG MOVE of the European Commission present.