Sanyang Motor (SYM) officially unveiled its PE3 range-extended electric scooter technology on October 21, marking a new chapter in two-wheeler electrification. With the electric scooter industry currently facing a number of development bottlenecks, the company is positioning the PE3 hybrid system as the most pragmatic transitional technology toward full electrification.
Major challenges in the electric scooter industry
SYM has identified five key challenges confronting the electric scooter market: declining consumer interest and reduced market acceptance; difficulty for manufacturers to make a profit due to high costs and dual-battery systems; high investment and maintenance burdens for battery swap stations; government subsidies failing to address poor user experience; and persistent range anxiety coupled with monthly rental cost pressures.
Furthermore, the company also notes that after upgrading to next-generation batteries, revamping and maintaining battery swap cabinets incur even higher costs that exceed NT$100 million (approx. US$3.26 million) per quarter. Even so, consumers still frequently encounter issues, such as insufficient battery charge or long charging times ranging from 4 to 8 hours.
Collaborative effort in PE3 development
Due to these issues, SYM views the hybrid range extender as the most practical interim solution en route to full electrification. Chairman Ching-yuan Wu expressed gratitude to strategic partners Sentec, CPC Corporation, and Shihlin Electric for their collaboration in developing the PE3 technology.
The PE3 system combines the advantages of both conventional engines and electric motors, and is the fruit of a multi-party collaboration: its powertrain features a generator designed by Shihlin Electric, paired with a motor developed by Sentec, and a 1.5kWh high-energy-density, low internal resistance soft carbon battery created by CPC.
According to Wu, the PE3 system helps alleviate range anxiety as an electric vehicle, and offers one of the best fuel efficiency performances globally in the scooter segment when viewed as a fuel-powered vehicle. By combining both traits, the system delivers an effect greater than the sum of its parts.
Hybrid technology as a pragmatic solution
In Wu's opinion, hybrid range extenders currently offer the most pragmatic solution compared to pure electric scooters. The PE3 is initially classified as a green-license plate (ordinary light duty) vehicle, but may be implemented in white-plate (ordinary heavy duty) and yellow-plate (large heavy duty) models in the future, with plans to extend the technology across more scooter variants. Mass production is slated for early 2027. While pricing remains undetermined, the goal is to keep it close to existing gasoline and electric scooter price ranges to boost market acceptance.
SYM notes that the development of the PE3 system drew on automotive hybrid concepts that use gasoline to supplement electricity. The integrated starter-generator automatically activates to generate electricity once battery levels drop below 40%, using gasoline to supplement power without interrupting riding. This design ensures smooth, quiet operation while significantly improving energy conversion efficiency and engine noise reduction.
The battery employs high-energy-density cells and stabilized management strategies to offer a lifespan exceeding 10 years. Controlled charge-discharge cycles within fixed intervals help to effectively reduce thermal degradation risks and enhance safety.
In addition to generating electricity via fuel, the PE3 technology supports household charging through 110V and 220V outlets, without the need for monthly fees or reliance on battery swapping infrastructure. Moreover, SYM plans to team up with CPC to install charging gun systems at gas stations, leveraging existing energy infrastructure to provide convenient, ubiquitous charging without wait times.
Dual-mode operation alleviates range anxiety
Internal tests show that with a 1.5kWh battery, a PE3 vehicle can travel approximately 58 kilometers in pure electric mode. When operating in hybrid mode, its three-liter fuel tank achieves about 89 kilometers per liter. Combined, a full tank and battery deliver around 325 kilometers total range, where the first liter of fuel simultaneously powers 58 kilometers of electric-only riding plus 89 kilometers of hybrid range.
This hybrid design effectively extends driving distance while boosting energy efficiency, cutting fuel consumption by more than 50% and carbon emissions roughly in half compared to conventional scooters. The PE3 thus balances energy saving and environmental protection, representing a vital solution for transitioning to low-carbon emission transportation.
Article edited by Jack Wu
