Tech: How Yamaha E01 is set to bring electric to the masses

Concept set for reality as Yamaha’s most ambitious electric model yet

‘The firm’s most impressive e-scooter yet’

It was back in 2019 that Yamaha took the wraps off their E01 concept scooter at the Tokyo Motor Show. Now, nearly two years on, a production version of the same bike is on the verge of being launched.

It might look like a conventional twist-and-go but the E01 is going to be Yamaha’s most impressive electric production model yet and details of the showroom version’s design have been revealed via a rush of new patent applications from the firm. Yamaha are trying to get rights on at least five separate innovations, which aim to bring all the benefits of battery power while minimising the usual downsides of electric bikes. The production E01, which we know will carry the same name as the concept bike as Yamaha has already trademarked the badge, will be instantly recognisable to anyone familiar with the concept even though every panel is tweaked. The patents show that the overall shape and style is retained, but the production model has a toned-down design, particularly around the seat. Where the concept’s entire tail was wrapped in cloth-style seat material, the final version gets more conventional plastic panels around a normal, lift-up seat, with practicalities like pillion grips built into the bodywork.

The engineering patents show that Yamaha has put particular effort into maximising underseat space. The electric motor is mounted slightly above and behind the front sprocket, driven via a reduction gearset, and one of the firm’s patents relates to details of the motor mounts, which are designed to free-up underseat room. The rest of the electronics are mounted inline ahead of the motor and transmission. Directly ahead of the motor sits the speed controller, cooled via a dedicated pipe that channels air from behind the front wheel. In front of that lies the battery pack and electronics. The battery itself is also subject to a patent application. It’s fitted in a plastic case and permanently bolted into the tubular steel frame from below. The layout puts its control circuitry into the same case, ahead of the main battery pack, which allows the front to be narrower than the rear. That means the cables can be attached to the sides without adding to the overall width.

The result is that while the E01’s battery hump means it’s not a true step-through scooter, the electronics don’t encroach on the under-seat space or eat into any storage opportunities in the fairing on the front of the bike.

Belt final drive A belt takes drive to the rear sprocket, while the front sprocket is concentric with the swingarm pivot so there’s no change in tension even with suspension movement.

Minimalist frame The steel frame has two upper rails above the battery pack and a lower tube on either side, inside the bike’s footboards. R1-style lights The E01’s headlights are tucked under the nose, R1-style, while LED position lights flank a door for the charger. Vent to cool battery Behind the front wheel is a vent for the battery pack, keeping any heat generated away from the rider. Air-cooled DC unit The battery itself is a permanently mounted lithium-ion unit, that powers a brushless, air-cooled DC motor with 125-equivalent performance.