Gogoro “Unplugs” from the Philippines Market

A loss of energy caused Gogoro’s Philippine partner to pull the plug

After more than two years in the Philippines, Gogoro’s partnership with Globe’s 917Ventures, a subsidiary of the Ayala Corporation, has come to an abrupt end.

Gogoro headquarters told CleanTechnica that they are “currently assessing a shift in our strategy … to build a stronger foundation, putting us in the best position to scale up and serve our customers more effectively when the time is right.”

However, Gogoro representatives in the Philippines confirmed that they will maintain operations, “optimizing and maintaining our battery swapping and Smartscooter operations internally for the foreseeable future.” Two questions remain: who will handle this maintenance without a local partner, and where will it take place, and what happens to the handful of Gogoro owners, many of whom are Globe Telecom employees?

Signs of life, but diminishing

Gogoro assured CleanTechnica, “We have proactively reached out to all existing customers and stakeholders, offering clear options and next steps. We are committed to addressing all concerns promptly to ensure a smooth process for everyone involved.”

Elle C., an early Gogoro SmartScooter owner, confirmed that Gogoro Philippines contacted her, assuring continued full service support, but acknowledged that battery swapping stations will be reduced to just one, located in Makati. As of January 2025, CleanTechnica observed that only four of the original 14 stations were still operating. By the end of February, only the Makati station is expected to remain.

Previously, Gogoro’s charging stations were strategically located in high-traffic urban areas, including Quezon City (near major universities), Taguig’s financial district, Parañaque, Makati’s business district, and Pasig City. Many of these stations have already been removed.

Despite the operational slowdown, Gogoro recently ran a publicity campaign featuring Filipino scooter enthusiasts invited to Taiwan. The campaign, which CleanTechnica discovered predates the shutdown announcement, showcased the riders’ positive experiences with the Gogoro community.

Trouble in Taiwan: A ripple effect

Gogoro’s challenges in the Philippines coincide with difficulties at its Taiwan headquarters. In January 2024, battery performance issues—rapid depletion, power outages, and even some reported crashes—affected over 500 Gogoro scooters. In May 2024, a GoStation in Kaohsiung City caught fire. Gogoro’s quick response in identifying and disabling the faulty station was commendable.

These incidents reflect deeper problems. A regulatory probe into alleged subsidiary fraud and the resignation of CEO Horace Luke have cast a shadow over Gogoro’s global operations. These internal and external pressures have impacted international ventures, including the partnership with Gojek in Indonesia. Expansion plans in Germany and Japan have stalled, though operations in Kathmandu continue, and Latin America remains a viable market with new ventures in Chile and Colombia.

Despite these challenges, Gogoro received the Frost & Sullivan Global Business Award, recognizing its business strength and continued prominence in Taiwan.

The final straw

These headquarters troubles likely contributed to 917Ventures’ withdrawal. CleanTechnica sources within 917Ventures suggest that the promised PhP232 million (US$4 million) investment never materialized, primarily due to supply chain issues and internal Gogoro challenges. “The plan for the entry-level scooter was halted because of supply issues,” our source revealed. “The strategy was gaining momentum, with many inquiries for entry-level models, as the top-end variants were too expensive.”

The high price of Gogoro scooters (P255,000 to P285,000) was a major hurdle in the price-sensitive Philippine market. Enthusiasts on Gogoro’s Facebook page lamented the cost, noting that a comparable amount could buy a Vespa ICE scooter or a used car. The anticipated entry-level model, targeted at around P78,000 with a 200 km range, never materialized due to supply constraints.

The Makati showroom, after a brief reopening in December, is currently under renovation, with no clear indication of its future as a Gogoro venue.

A delayed departure

The Ayala group had considered ending the partnership earlier due to unmet product delivery promises, but repeatedly delayed the decision at Gogoro’s request. CleanTechnica sources at Ayala Corp confirmed significant financial losses were absorbed as part of their investment strategy. While committed to electrification, as evidenced by partnerships with BYD and Kia and plans for nearly 200 charging stations, Ayala was concerned about reputational risks.

EV pundits in the Philippines believe the challenges at Gogoro headquarters were the final catalyst for the partnership’s termination. Our 917Ventures insider insists the decision “will enable all stakeholders to prepare for a more sustainable future.” Gogoro echoed this sentiment, thanking customers for their support and expressing a desire to maintain a positive relationship with the Globe Group.

CleanTechnica has learned that Gogoro representatives are actively courting local motorcycle dealerships as potential partners.

Gogoro’s Taiwan headquarters declined to comment beyond their official statement, citing confidentiality. CleanTechnica’s sources emphasized Gogoro’s commitment to SmartScooter owners, confirming that the Makati battery-swapping station will remain operational until a new partner is found.

Author’s note: This is a developing story. Cleantechnica is awaiting confirmation from 917Ventures regarding the shutdown, but our internal sources have provided detailed information, withheld here for due diligence.