Yamaha’s First Electric Scooter for India Spied Testing – Launch Expected This Festive Season
Yamaha is all set to electrify the Indian two-wheeler market with its first-ever electric scooter, and spy shots of the upcoming model have now surfaced online. Codenamed RY01, this highly anticipated Yamaha electric scooter is based on the River Indie and is expected to launch around the festive season in India.
Yamaha Taps Into River Mobility for EV Push
Just over a year ago, Yamaha made a strategic investment in Bengaluru-based startup River Mobility, contributing over USD 20 million—a significant share in River’s USD 40 million (approx. ₹340 crore) Series B funding round. Other investors in the round included big names like Toyota Ventures, Al Futtaim Group, Lowercarbon Capital, and Maniv Mobility. This move signals Yamaha’s strong commitment to entering the electric two-wheeler segment in India.
The upcoming Yamaha e-scooter will be manufactured at the same facility in Karnataka that produces the River Indie, utilizing existing infrastructure and accelerating time-to-market.
Design Inspired by River Indie, But With Yamaha’s Touch
Recently leaked spy images show the Yamaha RY01 sporting a new design language, while still carrying forward the bulk and structure of the River Indie. The electric scooter features:
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A redesigned LED headlamp and LED pilot lights
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A revised frontal design with new body panels
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14-inch alloy wheels, a chunky front fender, and a familiar LCD instrument cluster
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Updated taillights and a more Yamaha-esque styling approach
One noticeable change is the absence of the mounting bars seen on the River Indie, giving the Yamaha version a more refined and streamlined appearance.
Powertrain & Performance – Familiar Yet Practical
The Yamaha e-scooter is expected to retain the same 6.7 kW electric motor and 4 kWh battery pack found on the River Indie. With a claimed range of 161 km on a single charge, it will offer three riding modes:
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Eco
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Ride
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Rush
These features make it a strong contender in the urban mobility segment, where performance, practicality, and battery efficiency are crucial.
Competitive Landscape & Launch Timeline
With Honda already launching its first electric scooter and Suzuki gearing up to unveil the e-Access, Yamaha is strategically positioning itself in India’s fast-growing EV space. The Yamaha-River collaboration aims to capitalize on India’s demand for reliable, rugged, and stylish electric scooters.
The test mule is expected to undergo further refinements before its official debut, which is likely to happen around Diwali 2025.
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Final Thoughts
The upcoming Yamaha electric scooter based on the River Indie marks a significant milestone in the brand’s journey toward sustainability in India. Combining Yamaha’s global engineering with River’s local EV know-how, the new scooter promises to be both practical and performance-driven.
Stay tuned for more updates as Yamaha prepares to make its mark in the Indian electric mobility segment.