Yamaha Considering Electric Two-Wheelers For India — An Electric R15 In The Works?

Yamaha is also conducting a study to evaluate if the electric vehicles could completely replace the currently sold internal combustion engine models in the country. Yamaha Motor Research and Development India MD, Yasuo Ishihara said, "We are at present conducting a feasibility study in this area (electric two-wheelers)."

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Ishihara further said that Yamaha has an edge in the electric two-wheeler segment as the company already has such products in other global markets and bringing electric two-wheelers to India is not so difficult for the company.

But, to strengthen its position in the Indian market, Yamaha will continue to develop conventional internal combustion engines. Ishihara said, "We have already started our feasibility study in order to achieve this target set by the government of India but at the same time we will continue to develop more highly efficient engines in order to cater to the demands of Indian customers."

Yamaha has not revealed any details about the upcoming electric two-wheelers, but said that the company is looking for investment options for electric power unit and batteries. Yamaha is also planning to collaborate with local partners to develop the EV infrastructure in India.

Yamaha had showcased its latest creation in the electric segment, the Motoroid Concept at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. The company also unveiled the MWC-4, a leaning Multi Wheel vehicle with a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain.

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India has an ambitious plan of shifting to all-electric vehicles by 2030, and several automakers are working on electric vehicles. Now, Yamaha has also joined the bandwagon and is evaluating the electric two-wheelers for India. It will be interesting to see the electric product portfolio of Yamaha in India. How about an electric R15?