Gogoro, the leading industry player in the swappable batteries for light electric vehicles market, has just unveiled its new Gogoro CrossOver Smartscooter. The electric two-wheeler is the company’s first entirely new platform of the year, yet relies on the same network of over 1 million swappable batteries as Gogoro’s other electric scooters.
If you’re wondering why the company calls it a “two-wheel SUV,” just take a look at the design. Unlike Gogoro’s other electric scooter models, the Gogoro CrossOver Smartscooter prioritizes ruggedness and utility as its main advantage, featuring several task-oriented design features.
The company describes the scooter as being designed “to be customized and personalized, CrossOver riders can also adapt its functions on the fly.” It also features a more robust frame and higher ground clearance than previous Gogoro vehicles.
Two models will be available, The CrossOver and Crossover S, first launching in Gogoro’s domestic market of Taiwan.
Horace Luke explained how the new scooter combines Gogoro’s existing DNA with an innovative new design:
The Gogoro CrossOver embodies everything our brand has come to stand for. Highlighted by new functional design features, improved performance and the latest in innovation, the CrossOver is focused on being personally customizable by each rider. The CrossOver is based on a completely redesigned all-terrain frame that enables increased rigidity while offering a variety of storage and riding capabilities. The CrossOver is a significant step forward for our vehicle product family in Taiwan and across our new markets where we continue to expand vehicle options for our customers.
The CrossOver is highly customizable thanks to its expandable mounting points. The scooter is also designed to provide “passenger riding space as well as ample storage options with a new mounting point expansion system that includes 26 locking points.”
In addition, riders have four different cargo carrying locations including “a platform design headlight, foot, seat and rear cargo space.” For those that want even more cargo-carrying space, the rear seat can apparently be flipped up or even removed to add extra cargo storage. Gogoro has also developed a number of new accessories such as a side faceplate rack, an off-road front rack, and a lightweight aluminum front basket.
Basically, it sounds like you can load this thing up like a pack mule – and probably take it on the same trials you’d use with a pack mule.
For power, the CrossOver relies on Gogoro’s centrally mounted G2.2 aluminum alloy water-cooled permanent magnet synchronous motor that puts out a peak power of 7.6 kW (approximately 10 hp). The electric scooter also uses Gogoro’s quiet, efficient, and long-lasting FLO DRIVE™ belt drive system that provides a smooth ride experience with essentially zero maintenance. The use of a belt drive from Gates Carbon Drive replaces a chain for much quieter and smoother power transfer to the rear wheel.
The scooter’s top speed wasn’t announced at launch, but many of Gogoro’s similarly powerful electric scooters have an electronically limited top speed of 95 km/h (59 mph).
Braking is provided by a Synchronized Braking System (SBS) that is equipped with front/rear hydraulic disc brakes that “stabilize and shorten the braking distance.”
Gogoro’s new 6.8 iQ System, essentially the brains of the scooter, includes a wide range of high-tech features such as “Bluetooth controls, LTE smart remote networking services that allow riders to connect their CrossOver with 24 hour active message notifications, remote command and control, real-time online vehicle condition inspection including vehicle tip over warnings, vehicle locking/unlocking, compartment opening, vehicle location query and other functions.”
Gogoro’s new Traction Control System (TCS) and optional cruise control mode also allows riders to quickly start cruise control with one click.
While much of the scooter is new, the batteries that power the scooter are the same models that Gogoro has pioneered for years. With over 1 million in circulation, riders simply roll up to a swap station, exchange their batteries in the automated machine for freshly charged batteries, and ride off. Gogoro claims the entire process takes just six seconds.
There are thousands of swap stations spread around Taiwan, ensuring riders are rarely more than a couple minutes from a station.
The batteries also help make the scooters largely theft-proof, since local thieves have learned quickly that the vehicle will be deactivated at its next battery swap if the scooter is marked as stolen in the owner’s app.
The CrossOver will launch with two color combinations: Desert White or Night Storm Grey. The CrossOver S will have four color combinations: Myst Red, Summit Yellow, Desert White, or Night Storm Grey.
Gogoro also announced its new Gogoro Bespoke Club for Smartscooter customization services that let CrossOver riders create their own unique and personalized Smartscooter with more than 100 color combinations.
Electrek’s Take
This is an exciting one for me, especially since there just aren’t that many utility scooter options on the market yet. The leader seems to be Swedish company CAKE, though their abstract design seems to be quite divisive with either a love-it-or-hate-it reception.
It’s hard for a work-oriented scooter to look sexy, but I think Gogoro has done a great job incorporating a fun design into a utility scooter.
The Crossover will become available in Taiwan later this quarter, though Gogoro hasn’t shared any announcements regarding potential international launch plans. Gogoro has expanded several of its electric scooters internationally over the last few years. I personally own a Gogoro S2 Performance ABS model and use the local battery swap stations here in Tel Aviv a few times a week. I see several riders around town using Gogoro scooters for food delivery, which makes sense as riders can simply swap batteries throughout a long day of cruising around town making deliveries, and they never have to worry about downtime while charging. The CrossOver model would be even better for these types of riders due to its utility design, so I hope to see Gogoro expand internationally soon with this model.
Beyond merely utility riders, I can see many consumers preferring a design like this. I live car-free, and I’ve often carried bulky items such as lumber on my Gogoro, though I don’t have special racks and I frequently worry about scratching my factory iridescent paint job. A utility scooter would solve that problem, allowing me to carry more without worrying about using the scooter in a way it wasn’t designed for.
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