At CES in Las Vegas this week, Honda has unveiled a new swappable battery pack ecosystem that powers a series of different electric vehicles and products from ATVs to mobile power solutions.
Home Solar Power
Honda describes the concept:
“The Mobile Power Pack World showcases Honda’s holistic view of how a renewable energy source can be applied to power small-sized electric mobility products, digital devices, and home appliances. As generating renewable energy does not necessarily coincide with energy demand—such as wind power generation at night when demand is low—Honda envisions harnessing surplus energy and storing it in efficient, portable batteries.”
The idea is that the battery pack, which can be configured with a capacity of “1 kWh and up,” can be installed in a portable system to provide power on the go.
Mobile Power Pack
The Honda Mobile Power Pack is a portable, swappable, rechargeable battery that can be utilized as a power source for a variety of situations.
The same core battery pack can be removed from the portable system to be charged on personal charging stations or in the “Mobile Power Pack Exchanger”, which is another concept that they unveiled.
It’s similar to what Gogoro has been doing with its electric scooter.
Honda Mobile Power Pack Exchanger Concept shows how a charging station unit can charge multiple units of the Honda Mobile Power Pack at once and supply replacement mobile power packs. Honda envisions the Exchangers being used at street-corner locations to supply replacement battery packs for people who use small-sized electric mobility products.
But the big difference is that Honda aims for the same battery pack to power several more products.
Honda’s 3E-D18
The size of Honda’s 3E-D18 makes it highly maneuverable. Honda’s 3E-D18 accommodates multiple attachments for different situations. Honda’s 3E-D18 is electric powered. Honda’s 3E-D18 features GPS and sensor based autonomy for navigation in all environments.
Like the 3E-D18, which Honda describes as “an autonomous off-road workhorse device utilizing AI”:
“Designed by Honda R&D Americas, 3E-D18 is outfitted with an electric-powered drivetrain and can accommodate a multitude of attachments, bringing efficiencies and increasing safety for public, commercial, and consumer enterprises, including search and rescue, fire fighting, construction, and agriculture. The 3E-D18 robotic device has the potential to minimize human exposure to dangerous environments and can perform time-consuming chores or mundane tasks.”
It’s based on Honda’s current ATV chassis, but with an all-electric powertrain and autonomous technology.
Honda Mobile Power Pack 4W-Vehicle Concept
The Honda Mobile Power Pack 4W-Vehicle Concept is a compact and agile EV based on the Honda Pioneer 500 side-by-side. Equipped with slots for two Honda Mobile Power Packs on each side, this Zero-Emission vehicle enables more fun and less impact to the environment on various occasions, including off-road situations. The Honda Mobile Power Pack 4W-Vehicle Concept is a compact and agile EV based on the Honda Pioneer 500 side-by-side. Equipped with slots for two Honda Mobile Power Packs on each side, this Zero-Emission vehicle enables more fun and less impact to the environment on various occasions, including off-road situations. The Honda Mobile Power Pack 4W-Vehicle Concept is a compact and agile EV based on the Honda Pioneer 500 side-by-side. Equipped with slots for two Honda Mobile Power Packs on each side, this Zero-Emission vehicle enables more fun and less impact to the environment on various occasions, including off-road situations. The Honda Mobile Power Pack 4W-Vehicle Concept is a compact and agile EV based on the Honda Pioneer 500 side-by-side. Equipped with slots for two Honda Mobile Power Packs on each side, this Zero-Emission vehicle enables more fun and less impact to the environment on various occasions, including off-road situations.
Honda sees the same swappable battery packs powering other vehicles, like an all-electric version of the Honda Pioneer 500 side-by-side.
They can fit two battery packs in the concept.
The PCX Electric
The PCX Electric is an all-electric shooter outfitted with Honda’s unique high-output electric motor aiming for a more harmonious mobility performance in urban traffic with a removable Honda Mobile Power Pack. The PCX Electric is an all-electric shooter outfitted with Honda’s unique high-output electric motor aiming for a more harmonious mobility performance in urban traffic with a removable Honda Mobile Power Pack. The PCX Electric is an all-electric shooter outfitted with Honda’s unique high-output electric motor aiming for a more harmonious mobility performance in urban traffic with a removable Honda Mobile Power Pack. The PCX Electric is an all-electric shooter outfitted with Honda’s unique high-output electric motor aiming for a more harmonious mobility performance in urban traffic with a removable Honda Mobile Power Pack.
The same concept was also adapted to Honda’s PCX Electric scooter.
Honda’s robotic division also envisioned the system powering a series of increasingly odd other products:
Honda’s 3E-B18 has a small turning radius enabling it to navigate in tight spaces. Honda’s 3E-C18 features a carrying surface with a canopy. Honda’s 3E-A18 displays simple and easy-to-understand facial expressions with a friendly design.