- Yamaha E01 e-scooter launch expected next year
- Patent application filed for its hardware and design
- Likely to be on par with 125cc scooters
The Yamaha E01 electric scooter is likely to be globally introduced in 2022. It was unveiled in its concept form at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show in Japan.
After filing a trademark application for the name E01 earlier this year, the company has recently filed patent applications in Japan comprising the scooter's hardware and design sketch of its production model. Although it carries the styling cues of the concept, the superfluous elements seem to have been eliminated and it looks much more realistic now.
The E01 takes design inspiration from the litre-class R1 to some extent, especially on the front. There are dual LED headlights sitting at the bottom of the front apron. The section under the windscreen that looks like the headlamp is actually an opening latch hiding the charging socket. It is flanked by certain lights that could be either DRLs or battery indicators. The rest of the bodywork comprises a tall windscreen, maxi-scooter-like footrest provision and free-flowing design lines from the front to rear.
At the centre of the scooter sits the battery pack between the footrest area. Owing to the absence of a removable cover, it's unlikely to have removable batteries. The E01 is likely to fall in the ballpark of 125cc ICE scooters which hints at a rated power output of 11kW. This is the maximum permissible power output from vehicles that are allowed to be ridden by riders who are yet to pass their riding test in Europe and certain other countries.
Following in the footsteps of other major bike makers in India, Yamaha too will introduce an electric scooter here in the future. However, it remains to be seen if it will be the E01 or something specifically for the Indian market.
