Yamaha Motor is actively assessing the possibility of developing a localized electric vehicle (EV) platform for India, but a final decision is still pending. Itaru Otani, chairman of Yamaha Motor India, has confirmed the company’s commitment to EVs but remains non-committal on the specifics of its Indian electric two-wheeler debut. Sources suggest that a Yamaha EV is expected to hit the Indian roads in the coming years, but the ambiguity remains regarding whether it will be built on a local or global platform.
Investment in River and strategic EV direction
A significant indicator of Yamaha’s growing interest in the Indian EV market is its investment in River, a Bengaluru-based EV startup backed by Toyota. This move has sparked speculation about Yamaha leveraging River’s platform for future EV products.
“River is making progress in the EV market, and they are doing a good job. We are studying the possibility of utilizing their platform,” said Otani. Yamaha has also tested River’s Indie electric scooter in Japan and other Asian markets as part of a proof-of-concept study, further strengthening its evaluation process.
Performance-focused approach
Unlike many competitors who are targeting the affordable electric scooter segment, Yamaha is considering a more performance-oriented strategy. The company believes that high-performance EVs align better with its brand positioning. However, this approach presents challenges, particularly in India’s price-sensitive market, where larger battery requirements lead to increased costs.
“At this moment, most of the Indian EV market consists of small scooters. We are considering performance-oriented electric scooters, as that aligns with Yamaha’s brand. However, high performance means bigger batteries, which are expensive. This is one of the challenges we are evaluating,” Otani explained.
Uncertainty around launch timeline
Despite its clear focus on entering the Indian EV market, Yamaha has refrained from disclosing a concrete timeline for launch. Otani confirmed that the company has a defined roadmap but emphasized that it is not ready to reveal details yet.
With major competitors like Honda and Suzuki gearing up to introduce electric models in 2025, Yamaha faces increasing pressure to finalize its EV strategy. However, rather than rushing to market, the company appears to be prioritizing a strategic, well-executed entry that aligns with consumer expectations and market conditions.
Yamaha’s foray into the Indian EV space is a matter of ‘when’ rather than ‘if.’ With its investment in River, ongoing feasibility studies, and focus on high-performance electric scooters, the brand is carefully crafting its entry strategy. While the final decision on whether to develop a local EV platform is still under evaluation, one thing is clear—Yamaha aims to bring its signature performance and innovation to the Indian electric two-wheeler market when the time is right.
