New Era in Electric Mobility from Yamaha for riders starts. No oil, no gasoline, no vibrations, no sound, no rumble. Yamaha announces today the company’s entry into the world of electric personal mobility with two new electric Yamaha scooters for 2022. The 2022 NEOs in Milky White Aqua, a “50cc equivalent” with an output of 2.06kW@40 km/h and 38.5km on full charge ECO is coming to dealers near you.
2022 NEOs, a pure, sporty and with universal styling – The NEO’s has always been known for its simple, universal yet attractive styling and the new electric model comes with smart new bodywork with an upright style and minimal front and rear overhang to give this new scooter a distinctive character of its own. The compact body features soft, rounded forms that enhance the relaxed feel and convey the easy-to-ride character of this ultra-quiet zero-emissions scooter. eBikes has grown exponentially, with more than 5 million sold in Europe in 2021 – many equipped with Yamaha drive units and Yamaha is about to launch three new ‘own brand’ eBikes in the All Mountain, Gravel and Urban segments. This is just the beginning, and to underline the company’s future potential in every class of electric urban mobility with the introduction of these new electric products and related services will inspire a new generation of customers. In parallel to its core internal combustion engine business, Yamaha has been devoting substantial research and development into electrically powered scooters.
See all the new 2022 and 2023 Yamaha Motorcycle Models right here!
The future is electric, boogie woogie!
Yamaha Motor Switches ON
The start of new era in electric mobility
Eric de Seynes – Yamaha Motor Europe’s President & CEO – announces today the company’s entry into the world of electric personal mobility. “The concept of mobility has continuously evolved over the years, and consequently our cities and infrastructures have adapted to these changes. However, one thing that has remained the same over the decades is the universal desire and need for personal mobility that gives a real sense of freedom.”
Yamaha is focused on delivering creative and innovative new solutions to support the evolving needs of its customers – and in the première of Switch ON, Yamaha reveals details of its future electric models and how they have been developed to satisfy the requirements of a wide range of customers in an ever changing world.
Two new electric Yamaha scooters
In the next few weeks Yamaha will launch the all-new NEO’s – a smart, accessible and high quality “50cc-equivalent” electric scooter that was first displayed at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show as the E02 prototype. This will be followed by Yamaha’s first “125cc-equivalent” scooter that will showcase the company’s very latest engineering and technology. Derived from the E01 prototype – also displayed at Tokyo – this yet to be named model will be the protagonist in a Proof of Concept activity that Yamaha will set up in a major European city with a scooter sharing partner.
30 years’ experience in eBike drive units
Yamaha has a long and distinguished track record in electric vehicle development that goes back to the early 1990s when the company created the first Power Assist System (PAS) which formed the basis of the world’s first production eBike. Since then Yamaha has been at the forefront in the development of lightweight and compact electric drive units for eBikes, with approximately 7 million produced in three decades.
In recent years the demand for eBikes has grown exponentially, with more than 5 million sold in Europe in 2021 – many equipped with Yamaha drive units – therefore the company has made the decision to expand its production capacity and start producing drive units in Europe. While remaining totally committed to developing cutting-edge drive unit systems for the company’s many OEM bicycle manufacturers, Yamaha is about to launch three new ‘own brand’ eBikes in the All Mountain, Gravel and Urban segments. Full details will be revealed during the summer, and these new Yamaha eBikes will start to be available before the end of 2022 through Yamaha’s Powered Two Wheeler network, with the target to complete the European Distributor set-up in 2023.
The moped is back
But this is just the beginning, and to underline the company’s future potential in every class of electric urban mobility, Yamaha presents the B01 – a new hybrid prototype that intelligently combines eBike S-Pedelec functionality with moped performance and all urban terrain ability. Currently a concept model created by Yamaha Motor Europe in association with long-term partners Fantic Motor and Motori Minarelli, B01 will evolve into a production machine that will further expand Yamaha’s electric mobility range.
Eric de Seynes concluded, stating that “Yamaha is excited to expand its personal mobility range and open a whole new chapter in the history of the company. Backed up by Yamaha’s world-class engineering capabilities and supported by a professional dealer network, the introduction of these new electric products and related services will inspire a new generation of customers.”
Introducing the Next Generation of Shared Scooters: a Long-term Partnership between Yamaha and Troopy for an All-Electric Multi-Vehicle Offer.
Troopy is a self-service shared scooter operator launched in Paris in 2018 at the initiative of Groupe Chapat, a mobility specialist. After several years to develop a quality shared scooter service, today, Troopy is pleased to announce their transition to 100% electric with the long-term Yamaha’s partnership. Adopting more sober and collaborative mobility was essential to meet urban challenges, from now, Troopy gives new meaning to shared mobility by promoting everyone’s quality of life and freedom of movement.
Eric de Seynes: “As a trusted partner for Yamaha, Troopy started scooter-sharing operations with the Tricity 125 in Paris, in 2018. Since then, Troopy has enabled tens of thousands of users to experience Yamaha’s Leaning Multi-Wheel Technology, whilst facilitating easy and safe commuting in an urban and suburban environment.
Given the recent evolution of the mobility environment across Europe, very soon Troopy fleet will be made of two Yamaha electric scooter models, featuring advanced zero-emission technology, to meet the commuting needs of urban users. The two Yamaha models utilized will be the new Neos in its sharing version and the E01, a scooter that has been specifically developed for large-scale pilot projects like the one to be run by Troopy. This important step in our partnership will allow scooter sharing users to benefit from the best-in-class service offered by Troopy, combined with the undisputable quality of Yamaha’s scooters.”
This partnership had been released on March 16th at 9am CET during the AUTONOMY Event in Paris, France. World’s first trade show for mobility solutions that is now the world’s most important annual mobility gathering.
Troopy’s fleet will be composed with Yamaha E01 and NEO’s electric scooters – Both models will be available end of this summer and equipped with specifics and exclusives features needed for a sharing in Paris, France.
E01 – EV Scooter of Envy for the New Era
Yamaha E01 comes equipped with all the functionality expected of a 125cc class scooter and features performance well suited for short- to medium-range mobility. The E01 is a model taking full advantage of Yamaha’s motorcycle technology and know-how throughout its design and engineering.
The powertrain consists of an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor delivering a maximum output of 8.1 kW and fed by a 4.9 kWh lithium-ion battery. This combination provides a smooth, quiet and low-vibration ride characterized by outstanding power available at very low speeds.
With a total lot of 500 units planned, the E01 had been launched as a proof-of-concept model in Europe, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia for the purpose of grasping user needs, ascertaining possibilities with related businesses, opening up new markets and more. The model had been produced at the Iwata Main Factory in Japan.The potential launch partners envisioned include vehicle sharing companies, local governments and government agencies. In line with the traffic environments and infrastructure conditions in each market.
NEO’s – Urban mobility that is easy, silent and accessible to all
For many decades Yamaha has been one of the most active and respected manufacturers in the important European 50cc scooter market. From the 1990s the company produced some of the most successful models in the industry under the Yamaha and MBK brands, including true icons like the BW’s/Booster, Aerox/Nitro and NEO’s/Ovetto.
Along with its core business as a manufacturer of internal combustion engines, Yamaha has devoted considerable effort to the research and development of electric scooters for more than 30 years. In 1991, the company introduced the Frog, its first electric scooter, at the Tokyo Motor Show. Since then, Yamaha has not stopped working on the development of such vehicles and has launched several electric models in various Asian countries.
In 2022, the next-generation NEO’s is Yamaha’s first mass-produced “50cc equivalent” electric scooter to be launched in the European market. This new affordable zero-emission model is ready to play its part in transforming urban mobility in European cities. The NEO’s has always been known for its simple, universal yet attractive style. The new electric model features an ingenious new body; upright styling and minimal front and rear overhang give this new scooter a distinctive character.
The compact body features soft, rounded shapes that soothe and give an easy-to-drive feel to this ultra-quiet zero-emission scooter. Surrounded by white bezels that give them a fresh, sober and contemporary look, the new dual-optic LED headlights are inspired by the iconic face of the original NEO’s.
In addition to its aesthetic lines, the NEO’s is equipped with practical aspects that make it a leading urban scooter. Rubber moldings applied to the interior contour not only give the NEO’s a sleek exterior appearance, they also help to protect it from minor bumps and scrapes, while covering various fixings to provide a more elegant finish.
New Yamaha NEO’s electric scooter
Easy, quiet and accessible urban mobility for everyone
For many decades, Yamaha has been one of the most successful and respected manufacturers within Europe’s significant 50cc scooter market. Starting from the 1990s, the company has produced some of the industry’s most successful models under the Yamaha and MBK brands – including real icons like the BW’s, the Aerox and both the 2-stroke and 4-stroke versions of the NEO’s.
In parallel to its core internal combustion engine business, Yamaha has been devoting substantial research and development into electrically powered scooters for over 30 years and in 1991 the company displayed the Frog – its first electric scooter – at the Tokyo Motor Show. Since then, Yamaha has continuously worked on electric scooter development and has launched several electric models in various Asian Countries.
For 2022, the new generation electric NEO’s is Yamaha’s first “50cc equivalent” mass-produced electric scooter to be released in the European market and this affordable new zero-emissions model is ready to play its part in the transformation of urban mobility in European towns and cities.
Pure, sporty and with universal styling
The NEO’s has always been known for its simple, universal yet attractive styling and the new electric model comes with smart new bodywork with an upright style and minimal front and rear overhang to give this new scooter a distinctive character of its own.
The compact body features soft, rounded forms that enhance the relaxed feel and convey the easy-to-ride character of this ultra-quiet zero-emissions scooter. Surrounded by white rings that give a fresh, understated and contemporary look, the new full LED twin-eye headlights are inspired by the iconic face of the original NEO’s.
In addition to its aesthetically pleasing design, the NEO’s comes with practical touches that underline its role as a daily urban commuter. Not only do the rubber mouldings applied to the outline of the interior give the NEO’s a stylish external appearance, they also help to protect against minor knocks and scuffs, as well as covering various fasteners to give a sleeker finish.
The NEO’s is available in two simple and effective colours that perfectly capture its understated yet strong character: Milky White and Midnight Black. In both cases, a dedicated Aqua colour – intended to become the signature of Yamaha EV – is used as an accent on the battery cover and as the colour for the 3D NEO’s logos.
Yamaha Integrated Power Unit (YIPU) – smooth, quiet and efficient
The new NEO’s is driven by the latest generation Yamaha Integrated Power Unit (YIPU) that has been developed using the extensive knowledge gained by the company during the development of pioneering electric scooters including the Passol and EC-03 over the last three decades.
At the heart of this compact direct drive wheel hub is a newly developed air-cooled brushless electric motor that delivers high levels of torque for smooth running, strong acceleration and extremely quiet operation. A key feature of this second generation YIPU is its highly efficient gearless design that significantly reduces transmission power losses typically associated with gears and drive belts. Another significant advantage of Yamaha’s direct drive design is that it virtually eliminates mechanical noise for extremely quiet running to give a relaxing and enjoyable ride – and with fewer moving parts, running costs are kept to a minimum.
The innovative YIPU design doubles up as the rear wheel hub and incorporates the rear braking system and the unit is mounted directly to the rear wheel rim. A single sided swingarm contains the Motor Control Unit (MCU) that governs power output and the rear wheel rim can be easily removed for tyre replacement by the removal of five bolts.
Smart, simple, economical and reliable, the new NEO’s is an ideal choice for anyone who is looking for an affordable next generation zero-emissions scooter for daily commuting and general urban mobility.
Removable Yamaha lithium-ion battery
Weighing just 8 kg and located below the seat in the centre of the chassis is a 50.4V/19.2Ah lithium-ion battery that provides a high power output to the rear wheel. Developed and produced in-house by Yamaha, this high energy density battery gives a range of approximately 37 km on full charge when tested in WMTC Class 1 in STD mode and has a battery temperature of 25°C.
Supplied with one battery as standard equipment, the NEO’s is equipped with the connector and housing for an optional second battery that can extend the range to approximately 68 km.
Charging can be carried out with the battery fitted to the NEO’s or when removed for convenient indoor charging. The NEO’s is supplied with a purpose built portable battery charger designed to be plugged into a domestic socket and takes approximately 8 hours to reach full charge.
Intelligent battery and motor performance
The new NEO’s is designed to achieve optimum running efficiency in different riding conditions and is equipped with a Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) as well as a Motor Control Unit (MCU) that are designed to extract the full performance from the 50.4V/19.2Ah lithium-ion battery and the direct drive electric motor.
The VCU/MCU control when and how each battery is used. If the battery is running low, the power output will be automatically limited – indicated by the turtle icon on the dashboard. When an optional second battery is fitted, the system will switch to the second battery, either when reaching standstill during typical urban stop-and-go riding or automatically during a longer ride without stops.
Quick and controllable acceleration
The combination of a highly efficient direct drive hub-mounted electric motor and Yamaha’s high energy density 50.4V/19.2Ah lithium-ion battery deliver plenty of torque at all throttle openings for instant performance, together with outstanding standing start and roll-on acceleration. With its clutchless and gearless transmission giving smooth performance, the easy-to-ride NEO’s is an extremely efficient scooter that is ideally suited to the stop-start urban riding environment.
Yamaha has taken extra care over the controllability of the NEO’s throttle. The throttle response is carefully engineered to give the rider precise control from a standstill, as well as smooth power delivery in slow-riding conditions – without unexpected acceleration, delay or on-off reaction typical of some electric scooters.
Selectable ride modes for various riding conditions
NEO’s riders can choose from two different ride modes depending on conditions and individual preferences and it’s easy to change modes on the fly using the switch on the right handlebar. STD mode delivers the highest power output of 2.06kW @ 40 km/h and is designed for general use on average roads.
ECO mode is aimed at reducing battery consumption and is best suited to longer rides where achieving maximum range is desirable. In ECO mode, the maximum power is reduced to 1.58kW at 30 km/h and top speed is limited to 35 km/h – while power output is reduced across the entire speed range to extend battery life for a range of approximately 38.5km* on full charge.
*Yamaha research. This range changes by place, riding style and battery degradation.
Smooth, easy and quiet urban mobility
With many cities restricting or even banning combustion engines, the move towards zero-emission vehicles is gathering momentum and the launch of the affordable and accessible new NEO’s gives everyone the opportunity to benefit from smooth and quiet urban transportation.
It’s not just the absence of a combustion engine with its intake and exhaust noise that makes the NEO’s so quiet. The use of Yamaha’s innovative, direct drive hub-mounted brushless electric motor eliminates the mechanical noise associated with gears, belt drives and chains, making it exceptionally quiet.
Yamaha’s test figures show that the electric NEO’s measured 55dB from seven metres away, compared to 71dB for its combustion equivalent – making it one of the quietest vehicles on the road.
Connectivity via Yamaha’s MyRide smartphone app
NEO’s riders can stay connected when riding the new generation NEO’s by downloading Yamaha’s free MyRide app to their smartphone and pairing it with the Communication Control Unit (CCU) on the scooter by simply using a QR code or VIN number. The connected LCD instruments feature icons that display real-time notifications of incoming calls and messages from the user’s smartphone, ensuring that every NEO’s user can keep in touch with friends, family and work colleagues.
NEO’s riders can also share their riding experiences with other Yamaha MyRide users, as well as export journey information and link up with other MyRiders to view photos, compare routes and check out new places to go.
In addition to enabling connectivity, MyRide also gives the NEO’s rider access to technical and running information such as speed, acceleration, vehicle battery status, route tracking and more. The MyRide app will display charging status and the user will be able to see the charge level of the main battery and the optional second battery. A parking locator makes it easy to find the scooter and a malfunction alert lets the user know about any technical issues that may need attention.
By ensuring that every NEO’s rider can stay connected, MyRide makes this new electric scooter the ideal urban mobility solution for everyone, whether they’ve ridden a scooter before or are first time riders.
Compact and easy to read LCD instrument panel – Smart Key keyless system
In addition to the speedometer, odometer and trip and clock functions, the compact-new LCD instrumentation displays charge levels of both the main and second optional battery, as well as STD or ECO riding mode indicators and icons for smartphone app connection, missed calls and email notifications.
Charging status can be seen on the battery itself or on the meter when charging the battery and a charger connected indicator is also featured. Other features include a turtle icon for when power output is restricted, a smart key check light and a ready to ride “RUN” indicator.
The NEO’s is all about convenience and ease of use and its keyless Smart Key system enables the rider to operate the scooter simply by carrying the Smart Key in their pocket.
Comfortable, enjoyable and easy to use
Featuring a natural and upright riding position with a 795 mm seat height and a spacious footboard area, the NEO’s is designed to provide comfortable and relaxed ergonomics for a wide range of riders of varying physiques. By locating the battery under the seat rather than beneath the footboards, Yamaha’s design team have ensured that the new NEO’s has a large foot space, giving riders – large or small – the freedom to adopt the seating position that best suits them.
Generous seat cushioning together with the carefully designed handlebar/seat/footboard triangle creates an ergonomically efficient layout that ensures optimum riding comfort together with easy leg reach to the ground for confident starting and stopping.
Newly designed high-strength chassis
Yamaha’s designers have developed an all-new chassis for the electric NEO’s that consists of a high-strength frame that is designed to accommodate the fitment of various accessories including luggage, an apron, a smartphone holder and more. New KYB forks feature tough nickel plated inner tubes for increased corrosion resistance, while the NEO’s durable specification makes it the ideal package for urban commuters who want a simple, reliable and easy form of transport.
Newly designed cast wheels and special low-resistance tyres
Featuring an attractive ten-spoke design and finished in glossy solid black, the lightweight 13-inch diameter front wheel is fitted with a 110 wide tyre for lightweight steering and cornering stability.
At the rear, the NEO’s is equipped with a newly designed low-pressure die cast rim that is bolted directly to the direct drive electric motor and the whole rear unit is supported by a single-sided swing arm. For good traction and cornering stability, a 130 wide tyre is fitted.
Both the front and rear tyres have been specially developed for the new NEO’s and feature a low rolling resistance design and compound that helps to reduce battery power usage for optimum performance and range.
Underseat storage
With one battery fitted, the NEO’s underseat storage compartment can accommodate a jet helmet – and even with a second optional battery fitted for extended range, there’s still space for carrying a rainsuit or other small items.
