The future of riding is electric

Electric bicycles, commonly known  as e-bikes, date back to the late 1800s and the earliest electric bicycles were registered in the US and French patent offices throughout the 1880s and 1890s.

Two of these early concepts were a battery-powered bicycle with a “6-pole brush-and-commutator direct current (DC) hub motor” in the United States and a three-wheeled electric device in France. But for the majority of the 20th century, electric bicycles were relegated to the pages of paper due to the development of combustion engines and vehicles.

Gogoro Philippines, a pioneering force in e-mobility, opened its first experience center in Makati City on November 7 as it gears up for its commercial launch in the country. Located at 2/F, Greenbelt 4, Ayala Center, this innovative hub offers an immersive experience, giving visitors a taste of what it is like to use Gogoro Smartscooters and battery-swapping. 

Horace Luke and Matt Taylor, two businessmen, launched Gogoro in 2011 with the goal of bringing sustainable energy and transportation to as many people as possible in urban areas across the globe. The company raised a substantial amount of money in its early years, including $50 million in seed money the year it was founded and further investments in the years that followed. The majority of Gogoro’s technology, such as its backend servers, software, telematics devices, and scooter motors, was created internally.

“With the opening of our first Gogoro Experience Center (GEC), we are not just unveiling a store, we are opening the doors to the next chapter of mobility in the Philippines. Filipinos are invited to step in, explore, and be a part of this transformative journey towards a smarter and cleaner urban commute,” said Bernie Llamzon, President of Gogoro Philippines.

At the GEC, visitors are immersed in the world of the Gogoro Smartscooter® and will be able to see a range of Smartscooters including:

Gogoro S1 – Inspired by supercars, the iconic Gogoro S1 is based on a chassis crafted from racing-grade aluminum.

Gogoro SuperSport – The high-performance Gogoro SuperSport is also equipped with Gogoro’s cutting-edge SSMartcore Technology.

Gogoro Delight – The Gogoro Delight was designed by an all-female team that emphasizes rider comfort and functionality. 

Gogoro Viva – The compact Gogoro Viva is ideal for city travel and requires no license or registration to ride.

Beyond the Smartscooters, the GEC shines a spotlight on the unique battery-swapping ecosystem that Gogoro pioneered to accelerate the two-wheel transformation to smart electric transportation in cities by offering quick and easy Swap & Go battery swapping. Consumers will get a chance to witness this global innovation in action and even participate in lightning-quick battery swapping at a GoStation.

Gogoro Philippines will be announcing pricing and availability for some Smartscooter® models on December 1, 2023 as well as additional models that will be available in early 2024.

There will also be a wide variety of accessories available for riders to personalize their Smartscooters® to meet their specific needs, whether to add extra convenience, style, or functionality.

The best way to experience Gogoro Smartscooters® and battery swapping is by taking a test ride. At the GEC, visitors can easily book a test ride and dive deep into Gogoro Smartscooter® features, and feel the thrill of riding the world’s most advanced electric two-wheel vehicles. 

The GEC reflects Gogoro’s commitment to making its cutting-edge technology accessible to Filipinos. A joint venture between Globe’s 917Ventures Inc., Ayala Corporation, and Gogoro of Taiwan, Gogoro Philippines aims to redefine the local transportation landscape, in line with Gogoro’s global mission of empowering cities with sustainable and intelligent mobility solutions.