Key highlights
- Yamaha electric scooter spotted for the first time
- Based on the River Indie e-scooter
- Gets a heavily redesigned styling
Yamaha is developing its first electric vehicle for the Indian market. Slated for a launch later this year, the upcoming e-scooter has been spotted testing for the first time. Read what to expect from this e-scooter below.
Also read: KTM E-Duke prototype put up on display in Austria, launch soon?
Yamaha electric scooter – What to expect?
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Last year, Yamaha and River Indie, a Bengaluru-based EV maker, joined hands after the Japanese brand invested a hefty Rs 341 crore sum in the company.
However, unlike the other joint ventures, Yamaha had plans of introducing its own EV product range by using the River Indie’s EV expertise.
Now, the first-ever e-scooter of Yamaha, which is believed to be based on the River Indie, has been spotted testing in Bengaluru.
While it appears to be using the same underpinnings, including the 14-inch wheels, the same chassis, and a 6-inch colour screen, the overall design of the Yamaha is heavily different.
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The camouflaged test mule has a completely redesigned front with a vertical LED headlamp setup. The side panels are also changed, and so is the rear section with a new taillight position and design.
While River Indie bluntly promotes itself as the “SUV” of the Indian e-scooters, the design of Yamaha’s iteration is more like a maxi-scooter.
As far as the powertrain is concerned, it is most likely to be unaltered. The River Indie’s 4 kWh NMC battery and 6.7 kW mid-mounted electric motor will propel the Yamaha’s e-scooter.
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The River Indie e-scooter does up to 90 km/h top speed and offers 100 km range in the Eco mode. Hence, we are expecting similar performance figures from the Yamaha sibling e-scooter as well.
Meanwhile, the pricing of Yamaha’s EV will be above the River Indie, which itself is positioned at Rs 1.44 lakh (ex-showroom).
The launch of the Yamaha e-scooter is suspected to take place by the end of 2025.
Our verdict
Yamaha is working on its EV product lineup, which is set to expand globally by 2026-27. Apart from the River Indie-based electric scooter, Yamaha is also taking the Bengaluru-based EV maker’s help in constructing its own global EV platform.