Yamaha Motor India is gearing up to launch its first electric scooter, codenamed RY01, by late 2025, in collaboration with Bengaluru-based startup River, per Autocar Professional. Built on the River Indie platform, the RY01 promises high performance, premium features, and global appeal, targeting India’s booming EV market, per RushLane. With production slated for July-September 2025, this electric scooter aims to rival Ola S1 Pro, Ather 450X, and TVS iQube, per GaadiWaadi. Here’s everything you need to know about the Yamaha RY01.
Yamaha RY01: A High-Performance Electric Scooter
The RY01 is Yamaha’s debut in India’s electric two-wheeler segment, leveraging River’s expertise in EV technology, per Financial Express. Co-developed by Yamaha’s global engineering teams in Japan, US, and India, it blends sporty design with practicality, per Autocar India.
- Platform: Based on River Indie, with Yamaha-specific styling, per MotorBeam.
- Motor: Expected 6-8 kW (8-10.7 hp), offering quick acceleration, per RushLane.
- Top Speed: Likely 80-100 kmph, ideal for urban and highway rides, per GaadiWaadi.
The RY01 will be manufactured at River’s Hoskote facility in Karnataka, with plans for global exports, per Autocar Professional.
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River Partnership: A Strategic Move
Yamaha’s partnership with River, solidified by a 2024 investment, aims to tap India’s EV market, which grew 30% in 2024, per Jato Dynamics. River’s Indie scooter, known for rugged design and long range, forms the RY01’s foundation, per Financial Express.
- Collaboration: Yamaha handles design and branding, while River focuses on production, per Autocar India.
- Benefits: Combines Yamaha’s global reputation with River’s local EV expertise, per RushLane.
- Export Plans: RY01 to be sold in Southeast Asia and Europe, per MotorBeam.
This River partnership positions Yamaha to compete with Bajaj, Honda, and Suzuki in India, per GaadiWaadi.
Key Features and Specifications
The RY01 is expected to offer premium features, balancing performance and ** practicality**, per Autocar Professional. While exact details are pending, it will likely inherit River Indie’s strengths with Yamaha’s sporty touch, per RushLane.
- Battery: 4-5 kWh, with a 120-150 km range (real-world), per Financial Express.
- Charging: Fast charging (80% in ~1 hour), home charging compatible, per GaadiWaadi.
- Features: TFT display, Bluetooth connectivity, LED lights, regenerative braking, per MotorBeam.
- Storage: 40L under-seat space, inspired by River Indie, per Autocar India.
The RY01 targets young riders and urban commuters, per RushLane.
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India Launch and Pricing
The Yamaha RY01 is set for an India launch by December 2025, with production starting between July and September 2025, per Autocar Professional. It will be sold through Yamaha dealerships and online portals, per GaadiWaadi.
- Price: Expected Rs 1.30-1.50 lakh (ex-showroom), competitive with Ather 450X (Rs 1.41 lakh), per Financial Express.
- Availability: Nationwide rollout by Q1 2026, with pre-bookings from October 2025, per MotorBeam.
- Variants: Likely two variants (Standard, Premium), per RushLane.
The RY01 aims to capture 10% of India’s electric scooter market by 2027, per Autocar India.
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Market Impact and Competition
India’s electric two-wheeler market saw 1.2 million units sold in 2024, driven by government incentives like FAME III, per Jato Dynamics. The Yamaha RY01 enters a competitive space, challenging Ola Electric (30% market share), Ather Energy, and TVS Motor, per Financial Express.
- Strengths: Yamaha’s brand trust, River’s EV tech, high performance, per GaadiWaadi.
- Challenges: Charging infrastructure in Tier-2 cities, price sensitivity, per RushLane.
- Edge: Global export potential, premium styling, per Autocar Professional.
Social media buzz on X highlights excitement for the RY01, with users praising its River Indie base (@bikedekho, @autocarindiamag), per X posts.
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Why the Yamaha RY01 Matters
The Yamaha RY01 marks Yamaha’s bold entry into India’s EV revolution, combining high performance with River’s innovation, per Autocar India. Launching in late 2025, it promises style, speed, and sustainability for Indian riders. Visit yamaha-motor-india.com or River dealerships for booking updates, per MotorBeam.