LEVA-EU member Acciona’s e-motorcycle brand Silence has opened its first battery swapping stations in France, marking a major step in expanding its European e-mobility network. This coincides with the introduction of a new battery subscription and rental service, providing a wider range of convenient options for its customers.
Moto Magazine has stated that Silence has made a big impression in the urban two-wheeler market, with its Silence SO1 electric motorcycle model believed it be the “best-selling electric scooter in Europe, and one of the best selling models in its segment in France.”
New battery swapping stations in France
The latest instalment in France will build on its successful network of 160 stations in Spain. Silence’s French stations will be mostly located within Esso service stations, at some parking lots, and at dealerships.
The Spanish manufacturer is opening 14 battery swapping stations in the Paris metropolitan area, with the network expected to reach French Riviera locations such as Nice and Cannes by the end of 2025.
Image credit: Moto Magazine
Silence’s battery replacement method
The battery replacement method that’s already being used for electric mobility in Japan, Taiwan and China involves the swapping of a depleted battery for a fully charged replacement in under 30 seconds.
New monthly subscription and rental service
Coinciding with the launch of its new stations in France, Silence is now offering a battery subscription and rental service, giving users the option to buy a Silence e-motorcycle without a battery, receiving a 30% discount off the total price (from €3,995).
From this pricing option, users would subscribe to a monthly plan that consists of 12 battery exchange cycles, making electric motorcycle ownership more affordable and convenient by eliminating upfront battery costs and enabling quick swaps rather than charging.
The LEVA-EU member’s leader recently took part in the final event of the PIECE Project, organized by Battery Cluster Portugal at CeNTI – Centre for Nanotechnology and Smart Materials in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal. The event, centered on the future of the battery sector and the development of the Battery Passport, brought together key figures from Portugal’s emerging battery ecosystem to discuss transparency, circularity, and innovation within the value chain.
Representing EDMTECH, CEO Paulo Alves participated as a guest speaker in the roundtable discussion moderated by Fernando Machado, General Director of Battery Cluster Portugal.
Throughout the session, speakers explored the challenges and opportunities surrounding the implementation of the Battery Passport – a digital tool designed to enhance traceability, sustainability, and compliance across the European battery lifecycle. Participants emphasized that cross-sector collaboration between industry leaders, research institutions, and regulatory entities is essential to accelerate innovation and strengthen Portugal’s competitiveness in the fast-evolving battery market.
The program also featured presentations of the project’s main results and a networking session, fostering dialogue between stakeholders in the national energy and materials sectors. Supported by Battery Cluster Portugal, the initiative aligns with the organization’s broader mission to promote cooperation and sustainable growth across the country’s battery value chain.
The EU risks falling behind in its bid to become a global battery powerhouse, according to a report published by the European Court of Auditors.
It is true that the EU’s industrial policy on batteries has been promoted effectively in recent years. But access to raw materials remains a major roadblock, along with rising costs and fierce global competition. The EU’s efforts to grow its battery production capacity might therefore not be enough to meet the increasing demand, meaning it may fall short of its 2035 zero-emission goal, the auditors warn.
Nearly 1 in every 5 new cars registered in the EU in 2021 had an electrical plug, and the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is to be banned by 2035. This has made batteries a strategic imperative for the EU. But Europe’s battery industry is lagging behind its global competitors, particularly China, which accounts for 76 % of global production capacity. To jump-start the EU’s bid to become a global battery powerhouse, the European Commission published a strategic action plan on batteries in 2018. It has largely delivered the plan’s key instruments to support the sector, including strategic leadership, laws and funding.
“The EU must not end up in the same dependent position with batteries as it did with natural gas; its economic sovereignty is at stake”, said Annemie Turtelboom, the ECA member who led the audit. “By planning to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035, the EU is betting heavily on batteries. But it might have the weaker hand in terms of access to raw materials, attractiveness to investors and costs.”
Between 2014 and 2020, the battery industry received at least €1.7 billion in EU grants and loan guarantees, on top of state aid of up to €6 billion authorised between 2019 and 2021, mainly in Germany, France and Italy. But the auditors found that the European Commission has no overview of all public support for the industry, which hinders adequate coordination and targeting.
The EU’s battery production capacity is developing rapidly, with the potential to grow from 44 GWh in 2020 to 1 200 GWh by 2030. However, this projection is by no means guaranteed and could be jeopardised by geopolitical and economic factors.
Firstly, battery manufacturers may abandon the EU in favour of other regions, not least the US, which offers them massive incentives. Unlike the EU, the US directly subsidises the production of minerals and batteries, as well as the purchase of electric vehicles made in the US using American components.
Secondly, the EU depends heavily on imports of raw materials, mainly from a few countries with which it lacks trade agreements: 87% of its raw lithium imports come from Australia, 80 % of manganese imports from South Africa and Gabon, 68% of raw cobalt imports from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and 40% of raw natural graphite imports from China. Although Europe has several mining reserves, it takes at least 12-16 years from their discovery until production, making it impossible to respond quickly to increases in demand. However, current contractual arrangements typically secure the supply of raw materials for only 2 or 3 years of forward production. In March this year, the European Commission proposed a Critical Raw Materials Act to address this situation, the auditors note.
Thirdly, the competitiveness of EU battery production may be jeopardised by rising raw material and energy prices. At the end of 2020, the cost of a battery pack (€200 per kWh) was more than double the amount planned. In the last two years alone, nickel has risen in price by over 70% and lithium by 870%.
The auditors also criticise the lack of quantified, time-bound targets. Some 30 million zero-emission vehicles are expected on European roads by 2030 and, potentially, nearly all new vehicles registered from 2035 onwards will be battery-powered. However, the EU’s current strategy does not assess the capacity of its battery industry to meet this demand.
Overall, the auditors warn of two potential worst-case scenarios should the EU battery production capacity fail to grow as projected. The first is that the EU could be forced to delay its ban on vehicles with combustion engines beyond 2035, thus failing to meet its carbon-neutrality objectives. The second is that it could be forced to rely heavily on non-EU batteries and electric vehicles, to the detriment of the European automotive industry and workforce, in order to achieve a zero-emission fleet by 2035.
Background information
In April 2018, the European Commission published its action plan on batteries, with the overall aim of making Europe a global leader in sustainable battery production and use. It covers the different stages of the value chain and sets out goals and tools for achieving them.
The action plan identifies six objectives: (1) securing access to raw materials, (2) supporting European battery cell manufacturing at scale, (3) supporting EU research and innovation on advanced and disruptive technologies, (4) strengthening the EU workforce and skills, (5) supporting the sustainability of the EU battery cell manufacturing industry, (6) ensuring consistency with the broader enabling and regulatory framework.
Special report 15/2023, “The EU’s industrial policy on batteries: new strategic impetus needed”, is available on the ECA website.
In 2021, the ECA published a report on the European infrastructure for charging electric vehicles, which concluded that the EU is still a long way from reaching its Green Deal target of 1 million charging points by 2025, and that it lacks an overall strategic roadmap for electro-mobility.
Comments Off on My-eScooter launches battery regeneration service for sustainable mobility in Belgium
My-eScooter, the Nivelles-based company specializing in the manufacturing and distribution of innovative electric scooters, announces the launch of its brand-new battery regeneration service in Belgium.
This technological advance marks an important step in the field of sustainable mobility. It demonstrates My-eScooter’s commitment to promoting an efficient transition towards even more environmentally friendly transport solutions.
Battery life and performance
My-eScooter is not in the business of shared scooters, but in that of electric mobility serving individuals wishing to buy a scooter for regular use, and businesses.
“We are aware of the challenges and criticisms faced by electric bikes and scooters. Particularly when it comes to battery life and performance. In addition to the limited number of charge cycles of a battery, we find that the majority of users do not charge their scooter during the winter. As a result, the battery is completely discharged, or even damaged when we want to use it again,” explains Sanjeev D’Souza*, founder of the My-eScooter brand.
Regenerate up to 80% of initial capacity
Since its launch in 2017, My-eScooter has always innovated based on the reality on the ground for Belgian users. The replaceable batteries on some of its models are proof of this. My-eScooter is determined to maximize their use while minimizing their environmental impact. The battery regeneration service allows used batteries to be restored by recovering up to 80% of their initial capacity. Bye bye new battery, hello extended lifespan!
The advantages of battery regeneration:
Decreased demand for raw materials
Reduced costs associated with battery replacement
Contribution to the reduction of electronic waste
Recovery of up to 80% of initial capacity
30 to 40% more economical than buying a new battery
The battery of your scooter does not leave Europe
My-eScooter after-sales service is carried out in Belgium. My-eScooter’s battery regeneration service uses cutting-edge technologies to evaluate, restore and test batteries. The service is carried out in Europe to guarantee optimal performance and reduce CO2 emissions.
Longer-lasting batteries, a cleaner future
By launching this new battery regeneration service, My-eScooter reaffirms its commitment to sustainable mobility. Companies, their employees, and private users can now benefit from an economical and environmentally friendly alternative to extend the life of their electric scooters.
“Our new battery regeneration service represents a major step forward for our brand and reinforces our initial commitment. We are ready to offer this service for other brands and other types of solutions linked to sustainable mobility such as electric bicycles or forklifts for example,” says Sanjeev D’Souza, founder of the My-eScooter brand.
Electrified transportation demands lithium in record-high quantities, prompting expanded mining activities and environmental degradation. New research explores if it is possible to limit this sequence of events.
A new report from T. Riofrancos, et al., in collaboration with the Climate + Community Project and the University of California, Davis explores the impact of increased lithium mining in relation to increased electric vehicle use.
“A crucial aspect of electrified transportation is new demand for metals, and specifically the most non-replaceable metal for EV batteries – lithium. If today’s demand for EVs is projected to 2050, the lithium requirements of the US EV market alone in 2050 would require triple the amount of lithium currently produced for the entire global market. This boom in demand would be met by the expansion of mining.
“This report finds that the United States can achieve zero emissions transportation while limiting the amount of lithium mining necessary by reducing the car dependence of the transportation system, decreasing the size of electric vehicle batteries, and maximizing lithium recycling. Reordering the US transportation system through policy and spending shifts to prioritize public and active transit while reducing car dependency can also ensure transit equity, protect ecosystems, respect Indigenous rights, and meet the demands of global justice.”
The recently released report is an incredible technical insight into one of the core arguments against the implementation of electrified transportation. Of course, it is encouraging to see LEVs, which contain significantly smaller batteries, cited as a key tool for combating the issue of high lithium demand. Access the full report, here.
Comments Off on Greenway completes move into new Taizhou HQ
The LEVA-EU member, who produces battery packs for use in LEV projects, has moved into a new state-of-the-art headquarters.
The new property, based in Taizhou, China, has a footprint of 23,000 square meters, with a total construction area of 100,000 square meters and a workshop area of approximately 64,000 square meters. Alongside existing key staff, the HQ will contain Greenways’ new R&D and Innovation centre, ensuring the company’s lithium-ion battery products are of the highest quality.
Founded in 2021, the Swappable Batteries Motorcycle Consortium (SBMC), is an association of companies that want to advance swappable battery systems for sustainable mobility through global, open standards.
Founded by 4 members, KTM, Honda, Piaggio, and Yamaha, the consortium has now grown to a total of 21 members, including Berlin battery-as-a-service startup, Swobbee.
With its many years of practical experience in the field of battery replacement infrastructure and the system configuration of battery technologies, Swobbee will make a valuable contribution to the development of a high-performance battery that is compatible with all vehicles. Swobbee will be actively involved in the planning and implementation of battery swapping field trials for electric motorcycles.
Comments Off on Greenway expand their Danish joint venture, Viridus Manufacturing A/S, for battery production
In 2019, LEVA-EU member Greenway invested in a new battery pack manufacturing facility, Viridus Manufacturing A/S in Aarhus, Denmark. After 3 years of growth, the site was ready for expansion and doubled production capacity.
From the very start, the manufacturing factory had a focus on sustainability, running with zero net emissions. In order to improve zero-emission measurements, a completely new building was planned and constructed by the Danish Viridus team. The factory’s battery equipment, automation, and production know-how came from the Chinese Greenway team.
In August 2022 the Viridus team moved into the new site and started production. The building is carbon-neutral and packed with sustainable features like a wastewater recycling system, biodiversity gardens, CO2-neutral heat pump, reusable building materials, waste sorting, solar panels, bike charging stations, and a healthy indoor climate.
The Danish battery production is supplied by 100% renewable energy, and electric cars are used for internal transportation. Furthermore, all employees have access to training facilities, healthcare, and a healthy canteen environment.
The new site in Aarhus, Denmark, received a Gold DGNB German Sustainable Building Council certificate for the focus on sustainability and recyclability. Congratulations, Viridus team on fantastic work!
LEVA-EU member Tiler showcases their e-bike charging unit at Move 2022, with industry interest for this novel charging solution continuing to grow
For those unfamiliar, Tiler offers a new patented e-Bike charging infrastructure technology that relies simply on a kickstand and a tile built flush into the floor. The cable-free system utilizes inductive charging, with energy transfer taking place between the embedded infrastructure in the floor and a unique kickstand that is apparently compatible with around 80% of the market’s e-Bikes.
This unique solution combats a growing issue within the LEV sphere – obtrusive charging infrastructure that removes valuable street space and may create a trip hazard. A single in-ground eBike charging tile measures 300mm x 500mm x 80mm, while the platform iteration comes in at 1748mm x 600mm and 94mm deep.
