Yamaha unveiled the E01 electric scooter concept at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, stating that it would develop into a production e-scooter with performance and output comparable to that of a 125cc scooter. Now, a development unit of the E01 has reportedly been tested by the Japanese media, and it seems to be nearly production-ready.
The test unit maintains the overall shape and form factor of the concept, with the biggest change being to the seat, which now sports a far more conventional design. Other minor changes appear to have been made to the front fender and mirrors.
Instrumentation is in the form of a basic LCD display, which reportedly showed a range estimate of 70km at full charge. There are three riding modes available: eco, normal and power. The warning lights surrounding the display seem to contain something that resemble a connectivity icon, indicating that Bluetooth connectivity could be part of the mix.
Speaking to the Japanese press, Yamaha’s CEO and president Yoshihiro Hidaka states that the company is aiming for a spring 2022 launch, with the first priority being Europe, followed by Japan, the United States, and China. Keeping in mind European regulations, it’s likely that the E01 will have a power output capped at 11kW (15hp) to conform to the light electric scooter regulatory class.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
