PTT backs startup for electric bikes driven by clean energy

[webfact]

PTT backs startup for electric bikes driven by clean energy

By THE NATION

 

 

Etran (Thailand), a startup in innovative electric motorcycles, has unveiled its latest product driven by clean energy as the Department of Land Transportation announced that motorcycles in Thailand produce 50,000 tonnes of CO2 emission per day, or over 18 million tonnes a year.

 

Supported by PTT Plc, Etran has developed motorcycles that help lift the quality of life, reduce air pollution, and promote air quality. 

 

The new “Etran Kraf Limited Edition” is an environmental-friendly, high performance electric motorcycle with a 40Ah battery, 7kW motor, 180 km maximum riding distance per charge, and 130 km/hour maximum speed. The main components of the motorcycle are made with carbon fibre for strength and lightweight characteristics. Carbon fibre is a popular material among supercars. The model uses Internet of Vehicles (IoV) technology to connect the vehicles with Etran mobile application to enhance customer experience and safety. 300 units are currently available, it is priced at Bt150,000 ($4,7000), excluding VAT. 

 

The startup also noted that “Etran Prom” version 2 will soon be unveiled. The first model,  launched in 2017,  mainly targted the motorcycle taxi segment. 

 

The brand and logo of the company have been redesigned to align with the company's  direction. Aiming for 200,000 units in sale in 10 years, Etran was recently awarded APAC25 by Cleantech Group, a San Francisco-based company that supports the development and commercialisation of clean technologies.

 

Soranun Choochut, CEO and Founder of Etran (Thailand) Co Ltd, said that Thailand has close to 22 million motorcycles, according to data of  the Department of Land Transport.  With a single motorcycle emitting  45 gram of CO2 per kilometre daily on average and if an average motorcyclist travels 50 kilometers per day, he/she will produce over 2 kilogramme of CO2. Taking all into accounts, Thai motorcycles produce roughly 50,000 tonnes of CO2 per day, or 18 million tonne per year. As such. the atmosphere will need 3 billion, 6-metre tall trees to offset the amount of CO2.

 

Etran was established with the philosophy  “Drive a better world”. In 2017, Etran launched “Etran Prom”, first in the world designed for motorcycle taxi market. Etran Prom was  not only environmental-friendly, but also solved the problem for motorcycle taxi passengers by splitting the seats and giving more leg rooms. Another important milestone for Etran was signing a M0U with PTT Plc on  studying the electric vehicle market as well as developing electric motorcycle and prototypes for charging stations.

 

Etran partners with SakunC Innovation, one of the leading manufacturers with world class capability in producing automobile parts with ISO 9001:2015. The frame of  Etran Kraf Limited Edition’s is 100 per-cent aluminum and produced with high precision advance robot welding technology. For this limited edition, Etran will release 300 units in three series and seven colours with serial number on the side of the motorcycle. It will go on sale in the first quarter of  next year. 

 

In regard to service and charging station, Etran is in discussion with the PTT Group to expand the charging station network across all high populated areas, both indoor and outdoor. The charging stations will use Type2 technology with maximum current at 36A, compatible to all Etran vehicles and other electric vehicles in the market. 

 

Etran’s will offer 24/7 onsite after-sale service in Bangkok and metropolitan areas.

 

It targets sale of 200,000 units or 1 per cent of market share for its electric motorcycles within the next 10 years.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/auto/30375994

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-09-10

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[KMartinHandyman]

The pretties are no longer.

[Chazar]

and the  batteries come with an 8 year guarantee  right?

[Chazar]

Where  does  somchai add the  extra  loud  exhaust?

[neeray]

I support the concept of electric bikes but note that new pedestrian habits must be adopted.

I was in an area of China where E bikes where quite popular. Problem is, you don't hear them coming. I promptly taught myself to be extra vigilant when crossing the road.

 

[Cadbury]

20 minutes ago, neeray said:

I support the concept of electric bikes but note that new pedestrian habits must be adopted.

I was in an area of China where E bikes where quite popular. Problem is, you don't hear them coming. I promptly taught myself to be extra vigilant when crossing the road.

 

Same in Vietnam. The other problem being they don't use lighting at night because it "wastes" the battery.

[Nyezhov]

23 minutes ago, neeray said:

I support the concept of electric bikes but note that new pedestrian habits must be adopted.

I was in an area of China where E bikes where quite popular. Problem is, you don't hear them coming. I promptly taught myself to be extra vigilant when crossing the road.

 

Same. I went nuts in Shanghai with those silent assassins riding everywhere. Hordes of people wrapped in Hello Kitty blankents just zooming right up to you.

 

 

[Geoffggi]

3 hours ago, Chazar said:

Where  does  somchai add the  extra  loud  exhaust?

Worst still if there is no noise the road carnage will definitely increase...!!!

[JoePai]

7 minutes ago, Cadbury said:

Same in Vietnam. The other problem being they don't use lighting at night because it "wastes" the battery.

In Thailand they don't use lighting at night because it wears out the bulbs !

[Ireland32]

46 minutes ago, neeray said:

I support the concept of electric bikes but note that new pedestrian habits must be adopted.

I was in an area of China where E bikes where quite popular. Problem is, you don't hear them coming. I promptly taught myself to be extra vigilant when crossing the road.

 

Install some playing cards like the old days

[Ireland32]

18 minutes ago, JoePai said:

In Thailand they don't use lighting at night because it wears out the bulbs !

In USA if you don’t  use headlights they assume you are Drunk....

[Narratio]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

said that Thailand has close to 22 million motorcycles, according to data of  the Department of Land Transport.

With a population of what, 66 million, from babies to old age pension types? So one in three people has a motorcycle all in daily use... Nurse! Sanity check please!

 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

and if an average motorcyclist travels 50 kilometers per day,

... Then again, methinks all those figures need a sanity check.

[BritManToo]

31 minutes ago, Narratio said:

.. Then again, methinks all those figures need a sanity check.

4-5Km/day in my household.

[Srikcir]

3 hours ago, neeray said:

I promptly taught myself to be extra vigilant when crossing the road.

Or when the motorbike comes up behind you running against traffic on the sidewalk.

[Srikcir]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Etran is in discussion with the PTT Group to expand the charging station network across all high populated areas, both indoor and outdoor. The charging stations will use Type2 technology with maximum current at 36A, compatible to all Etran vehicles and other electric vehicles in the market. 

7/11 very near me just had a two-car EA Anywhere station installed recently that is suitable for Plug-In Hybrid electric vehicles with type 2 socket according to Thailand standards. So Etran should be compatible with this charging station.

[Inepto Cracy]

Not going to get many units sold at that price.

They are trying to get millions of riders off their Honda Waves and Clicks. Fat chance, like the yellow ride yer bike schemes that disintergrated into oblivion.

Same for electric cars, I am not convinced enough to buy one.

[ICELANDMAN]

And I will have to wait a month more to receive my express letter.

[Fred white]

4 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

Worst still if there is no noise the road carnage will definitely increase...!!!

Especially at 130 kmh

[Fred white]

4 hours ago, Ireland32 said:

In USA if you don’t  use headlights they assume you are Drunk....

In the US unless you own an ancient bike the head lights come on automatically when you start it

[madmen]

Thais wont buy it unless the exhaust can be modified maybe they can strap aloud speaker for exhaust

 

 

 

Edited September 10, 2019 by madmen

[ThomasThBKK]

5 hours ago, neeray said:

I support the concept of electric bikes but note that new pedestrian habits must be adopted.

I was in an area of China where E bikes where quite popular. Problem is, you don't hear them coming. I promptly taught myself to be extra vigilant when crossing the road.

 

 

That's why in europe eMotorbike and eCars have to emulate car-sound via a loudspeaker,  they are deadly silent killers.

a bunch of thais on extremely fast ebikes you can't hear sounds like horror to me....

Edited September 10, 2019 by ThomasThBKK

[johng]

3 minutes ago, ThomasThBKK said:

europe eMotorbike and eCars have to emulate car-sound via a loudspeaker

In Thailand they will probably opt for the 2000 Watt RMS  loudspeaker option with the  battery life then down to 15 KM per charge ????

[natway09]

And just what % of energy used in this country does not come from coal or gas in the first place ?

 

[neeray]

7 hours ago, ThomasThBKK said:

That's why in europe eMotorbike and eCars have to emulate car-sound via a loudspeaker,  they are deadly silent killers.

a bunch of thais on extremely fast ebikes you can't hear sounds like horror to me....

Edited 7 hours ago by ThomasThBKK

From air pollution to noise pollution.

[DrTuner]

8 hours ago, madmen said:

Thais wont buy it unless the exhaust can be modified maybe they can strap aloud speaker for exhaust

No worries, somchai will fix it, just pull a wire out and have not only booming sound, but lightning coming out. Somchai the Flash.

[MaxYakov]

PTT backs startup for electric bikes motorcycles driven by clean energy from an already-stressed, dirty grid.

[MadMac]

As long as they dont build nuclear power plants, all is fine. 

 

[Expat Brad]

On 9/10/2019 at 12:29 PM, Inepto Cracy said:

Not going to get many units sold at that price.

They are trying to get millions of riders off their Honda Waves and Clicks. Fat chance, like the yellow ride yer bike schemes that disintergrated into oblivion.

Same for electric cars, I am not convinced enough to buy one.

Agree there, at 150k it's way over priced. Nobody will buy them. Why do they rip punters off? I mean most EV's are sold at ridiculous prices!!!

[rickudon]

Yes, price seems ridiculous. I know it may not match the performance of the 150,000 baht e-bike, but I have seen an e-bike (like a typical motor scooter, but slightly smaller) for 20,000 baht ……..