Yamaha Motor Research and Development India (YMRI) is collaborating with R&D teams from Yamaha Motor Corporation (YMC) worldwide to create a cutting-edge electric two-wheeler platform. This platform is designed not just for the Indian market but for global markets as well. Yasuo Ishihara, Managing Director of YMRI, has officially confirmed this initiative.
According to Autocar Professional, around 100 engineers from India, Japan, and potentially other YMC R&D centers in Italy, Taiwan, China, and Thailand are involved in this project. While detailed specifications remain under wraps, Ishihara revealed that Yamaha is forming strategic partnerships with key electric vehicle (EV) suppliers to support the development.
YMRI is poised to take on a central role in this development due to India’s vast two-wheeler market and the government’s strong focus on increasing electric vehicle adoption across both two- and four-wheeler segments. This aligns with Japan’s broader commitment to advancing sustainable mobility solutions.
Japan-based competitor Suzuki is also working on an electric scooter expected to enter the Indian market between 2020 and 2021. Although Yamaha has not yet disclosed whether its new electric model will be a motorcycle or a scooter, its anticipated launch window aligns closely with Suzuki’s timeline.
Recently, Mr. Ishihara visited Taiwan to evaluate the local electric two-wheeler market. He disclosed that the R&D team is evaluating the battery swapping concept as a possible charging solution. This system allows users to replace depleted batteries with fully charged ones in a time frame comparable to refuelling a conventional vehicle—offering a practical alternative to traditional charging methods.
With the upcoming BS-VI emission norms, the competition to launch electric two-wheelers in India is expected to intensify significantly. Major manufacturers such as TVS, Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj, and even Royal Enfield have already expressed clear interest in entering the electric two-wheeler space, signalling a transformative shift in the industry.