Yamaha likely to launch its electric two-wheeler in India in a year

Itaru Otani, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India Group
Photo : Bijoy Ghosh
| Photo Credit:
BIJOY GHOSH

Yamaha is preparing to enter India’s electric two-wheeler market, with plans to launch its first electric vehicle (EV) model within a year’s time, according to a top official.

The Japanese automaker is adopting a two-pronged approach to EV development globally. One track involves building a dedicated EV platform for key markets—including India—with specialised teams in Japan working closely with Yamaha’s R&D centre in India. Yamaha is also partnering with start-ups such as River in India and Gogoro in Taiwan, Itaru Otani, Chairman of Yamaha Motor India Group, told businessline.

While Otani did not reveal further details about the upcoming EV, he emphasised that Yamaha will not target the budget commuter segment. “We won’t be entering the mass commuting space. It doesn’t align with our strategy, and our product will carry a premium positioning tag,” he said.

Start-up investments

Yamaha invested in World of River in February 2024. The Bengaluru-based start-up focuses on the manufacture and sale of electric scooters. This investment aims to unlock new business opportunities in the Indian EV market and leverage River’s local expertise to co-develop premium electric mobility solutions.

Otani noted that Yamaha recognises the dynamic shift in India’s mobility landscape, driven by evolving consumer preferences, rising demand for premium products and rapid urbanisation. Over the past three years, the two-wheeler industry has shown notable resilience, with electric scooters gaining traction for short-range and last-mile commuting needs.

India’s electric two-wheeler segment has expanded rapidly in recent years, fuelled by government incentives and a growing urban customer base. Both established players and new entrants have launched EV models, with EVs now accounting for around 6-7 per cent of total two-wheeler sales. However, Otani pointed out that market growth has been subject to fluctuations, largely due to subsidy revisions and financial challenges faced by leading players.

Among the three major Japanese manufacturers—Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki—that have a strong presence in India, Honda has already made its move in the EV space with the launch of its Activa e and QC1 electric scooters. Suzuki Motorcycle followed suit, unveiling its first electric scooter, the e-Access, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 in New Delhi earlier this year.

Published on April 15, 2025