Yamaha Considering To Develop High-Performance EVs For India

Yamaha Motor India is considering developing an EV platform for India. While details about this upcoming two-wheeler are still under wraps, reports suggest that Yamaha might leverage River’s platform for the same purpose. 

The Japanese manufacturer had invested ₹332 crore in the Bengaluru-based EV company last year, which is also backed by Toyota. However, unlike the River Indie, which is a chunky and rugged looking scooter, Yamaha wants to develop a high-performance electric two-wheeler for India. The company believes that this proposition aligns better with the brand’s positioning in the country and we agree as Yamaha is renowned for its performance and engineering. But better performance comes at the cost of bigger batteries, and that will make it more expensive and this is where Yamaha is facing one of its biggest challenges. 

Yamaha’s investment in River is already a positive indication that the Iwata-based company wants to be a part of India's growing electric two-wheeler segment. However, given how price-sensitive the Indian market is, Yamaha will find it quite challenging to position its product in the country. Its Japanese counterparts have opted for more price-sensitive options like the Honda Activa electric and the Suzuki e-Access. 

Yamaha is also having active discussions on whether it should choose a global platform for this India-specific electric scooter. Either way, the fact that an Yamaha electric scooter will grace our country soon, is confirmed. Itaru Otani, Chairman of Yamaha Motor India Group, has confirmed that a roadmap for Yamaha’s India EV launch timeline has already been defined inside the company. An official announcement might happen in the coming months.

(Source)