On the way to electromobility
Yamaha is launching an old classic as an electric scooter – with a replaceable battery
The Yamaha Neo’s debuts as an electric scooter
© Yamaha
In the 1990s, the Yamaha Neo’s was a classic among scooters. Now the Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer is bringing the model back onto the market. However, the scooter has been adapted to the present day and appears as an electric scooter with a replaceable battery.
Not only the car industry is switching to electromobility, but also the two-wheeler industry. With that, an old acquaintance is coming back onto the market at Yamaha, which has been completely revised – adapted to the present day: The Neo’s is about to be launched as the first series-produced electric scooter by Yamaha with a displacement of 50 cubic centimetres.
The e-scooter does not need a combustion engine and is instead driven by a brushless wheel hub electric motor, which carries the rear wheel that can be guided with one arm. The electric motor with direct drive should ensure smooth running and strong acceleration at the same time.
Electric scooter with two batteries
An eight-kilogram lithium-ion battery with an energy density of 50.4 volts is installed under the seat. This should give the electric scooter a range of around 37 kilometers. A second 1 kWh battery can be connected as an option, which should increase the range to almost 70 kilometers.
The batteries can be removed and charged separately. However, charging when installed is also possible. Yamaha specifies a charging time of around eight hours from a household socket. The space under the seat, where the second battery is housed, can alternatively be used as storage space for a helmet, for example.
Yamaha builds scooters for the city
Yamaha defines the Neo’s as a city scooter that is “ideal for stop-and-go traffic” due to its efficient driving style. The vehicle is said to be particularly quiet and appears with two modes: a kind of sport mode and an eco mode, in which the scooter is throttled to a top speed of 35 km/h.
The Neo’s is based on the E02 study, which was first presented at the Tokyo Motor Show 2019. In addition, the E01 study (125 cc scooter) was presented.
Another feature of the modern development is the smartphone function via app. For example, calls and messages are to be displayed on the Neo’s LCD instruments. In addition, the driver receives information about the speed, the battery status of the vehicle and route tracking, among other things. A smart key system should enable operation without a key.
Visually, the Neo’s resembles its old predecessor: it has two eye-shaped headlights with LED lamps, and the body is characterized by rounded shapes. The electric scooter is to come onto the European market in June at a purchase price of around 3300 euros and be available in black or white.
More e-scooters on the market
According to the company, Yamaha has been working on the development of electric scooters since presenting its first electric scooter at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1991. So far, the Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer has focused on the Asian market for e-models and has released several electric scooters there. But that should change now.
Yamaha Motor President Yoshihiro Hidaka said in December: “There are strong requests for electric scooters from Europe.” The pandemic has prompted European cities to set up more parking spaces for bicycles instead of cars. In addition to the Neo’s and the 125 electric scooter from the E01 study, Yamaha is apparently planning to launch an S-Pedelec-like hybrid moped with a maximum speed of 45 km/h this year.
The Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer and the Taiwanese battery replacement company Gogoro announced the Yamaha EMF e-scooter back in January. This is to be launched in cooperation between the two companies in Taiwan. The battery can also be replaced here.
In addition, Yamaha has already launched the Vespa-style e-vino, which is built in Taiwan and also exported to Japan. This is a light scooter, also with a pure electric drive and replaceable batteries.
Swell: Yamaha, Gogoro, motorcycle online, Car media portal, Bloomberg