Toshiba Corporation introduced its rechargeable lithium-ion battery, SCiB, at a media briefing in Bangkok today.
The battery’s long lifespan and intrinsic safety are set to enhance the reliability of electric motorcycle taxis, addressing key safety concerns for riders and passengers.
With its lithium titanium oxide (LTO) anode chemistry, SCiB is designed to withstand tropical heat and humidity, resist internal short circuits and maintain performance over 20,000 charge-discharge cycles, all while minimising degradation. The battery can charge rapidly from zero to over 80% capacity in just six minutes, reducing downtime for e-motorcycles.
SCiB is seen as a vital component in transitioning Thailand towards sustainable urban transport and supporting its carbon neutrality targets, with the nation aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065.
While demand for EV batteries in emerging markets is forecast to exceed 600GWh by 2035, only 2.8% is expected to be for motorcycles and three-wheelers. Manufacturers have faced significant challenges with conventional lithium-ion batteries due to fire risks and performance declines under severe environmental conditions.
In a bid to address these issues, Toshiba, in partnership with naturenix inc. and Windee International, launched a battery subscription service demonstration for e-motorcycle taxis in Bangkok last October.
Early trial results are promising, suggesting the service could offer a safe, cost-effective solution that may also be applied to buses and automated guided vehicles.
