Hybrid technology has been established in the automotive industry for years, but it has been a rarity in motorcycles until now.  Now Yamaha has officially unveiled its first hybrid drive system: the Series Parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV).  In a recently published video, the manufacturer shows how the system works and what possibilities it offers.  The test platform shown is based on a modified Yamaha XMAX, suggesting that it could be the first market-ready hybrid scooter or motorcycle of this type.

The operating principle of the hybrid system

The Yamaha Series Parallel Hybrid system combines an internal combustion engine with two electric motors.  One of these electric motors is connected directly to the engine’s crankshaft as a generator, while the second electric motor is attached to the rear wheel.  The drive system operates in three different driving modes:

  • EV mode: here, the motorcycle is operated purely electrically. Especially in city traffic or at lower speeds, this mode can ensure emission-free and quiet operation.
  • hybrid mode (series/parallel operation): As soon as more power is required, the combustion engine kicks in. The engine charges the battery via the generator while simultaneously driving the rear wheel.
  • boost mode: The motorcycle can call up additional power in two special boost modes.
    • Dual Boost: Here, the combustion engine and the rear electric motor work together to improve acceleration.
    • Triple Boost: In this stage, the generator-driven electric motor is also used, which delivers torque directly to the crankshaft. This is intended to further improve performance, torque and throttle response.

 

Automatic control of the driving modes

The system automatically switches between the different modes depending on speed and power requirements.  This means that the motorcycle could often be driven purely electrically in city traffic, while the combustion engine takes over the main work on country roads or highways.  When decelerating, energy is also fed back into the battery via the regenerative braking system.

 

Future prospects for Yamaha hybrid motorcycles

So far, the hybrid system has only been demonstrated in a test vehicle, but Yamaha has already indicated that it will not stop at a scooter.  It is likely that the technology will also be used in larger motorcycles in the future.  The manufacturer is still researching the optimization of the system, so that a final production model could differ visually and technically from the current test platform.

Yamaha has not yet announced an exact launch date for a market-ready hybrid motorcycle.  However, it is clear that hybrid drives could play a more important role in the motorcycle segment in the future, especially in times of increasing emissions regulations and growing demand for more environmentally friendly mobility solutions.

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