Micromobility-focused repairable battery wins Taipei Cycle Green Award

Friday, 24 March 2023 Jonathon Harker

French repairable battery manufacturer Gouach has won a Taipei Cycle Award for its innovative eco-designed battery for micromobility that challenges “planned obsolescence of batteries” in the e-bike sector.

With concerns about the sustainability of batteries used increasingly in a number of sectors, from power tools to mobility, this product is an encouraging step to cut down on wastage. The Gouach battery features a patented design, with no-spot-weld technology that allows defective components to be replaced easily and safely. With a minimum of components for easy repair and recycling, the battery cuts electronic waste and ‘divides the ecological footprint of the battery by 4’.

Using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity for remote diagnosis and troubleshooting, internal algorithms further optimise battery life. The battery scored the Taipei Cycle d&I Gold Award – Green Prize this week.

“We are honoured to receive the TAIPEI CYCLE Gold Award – Green Prize for our eco-designed battery,” said Alexandre Vallette, CEO and founder of Gouach. “Our mission is to challenge the model of planned obsolescence of batteries and to make repairable batteries the norm within the electric bicycle and e-kickscooter industry. This award recognises our commitment to sustainability and innovation in battery design.”

Aside from repairable battery products, the cycling industry currently has a number of schemes and initiatives to mitigate the environmental impact of batteries used in e-bikes, with the UK’s Bicycle Association recently setting up an electric battery collection and battery service with ERP. Specialized has partnered with Ecolamp Recycling Solutions in the UK to deal with the end of e-bike battery life, with more on that topic here.

Founded in 2018, Gouach designs, manufactures and assembles batteries in France and is committed to sustainability in the repairable batteries industry. In early 2022, it raised €3.3 million funding for its work on reducing the environmental impact of lithium batteries.