After its reveal late last year, production of the River Indie-based Yamaha EC-06 electric scooter has commenced at River’s factory in Hoskote, Karnataka. While the EC-06 is based on the same platform as the River Indie, it has some notable differences in its styling and feature set.
- EC-06 has a much smaller underseat boot than River Indie
- Will be Yamaha’s first electric two-wheeler in India
Yamaha EC-06 could launch soon
EC-06 shares a lot of mechanical parts with River Indie
Yamaha had made an investment in Bengaluru-based startup River a few years ago and then announced plans to launch a co-developed model in the Indian market. The EC-06 is the end result of that chain of events and is based on the same platform as the River Indie. Both share a 4kWh battery, which sends power to a motor rated for 6.7kW of peak power, capable of propelling the scooters to a claimed 90kph top speed. Most of the chassis parts and features are also shared between the Indie and the EC-06.
Where the Yamaha differs from the River is in its styling – which is sharper and more svelte – and in terms of storage space under the seat. A big USP of the Indie is its cavernous 43-litre boot, which is the largest on any scooter in India today. With a 24.5-litre capacity, the EC-06 has a much smaller storage space, similar to the petrol-powered Suzuki Access.
This partnership with River is beneficial for Yamaha in that the Japanese company can quickly enter the market with a proven homegrown product, thereby ensuring a speedy market entry and cost efficiency. River handles the manufacturing of the EC-06, although the scooter itself will be sold and serviced via the Yamaha dealer and service network. With production having commenced, you can expect the Yamaha EC-06 to go on sale in the coming months, and a price tag in the ballpark of the River Indie (Rs 1.46 lakh, ex-showroom, Bengaluru) is expected.
Vishal Venugopal
Ved Janve
Azaman Chothia
