Yamaha partners with Bengaluru-based River to launch its first India-focused electric scooter
In a significant shift in strategy, Yamaha Motor Company is preparing to debut its first India-focused electric scooter, co-developed with Bengaluru-based startup River. Codenamed RY01, the scooter is expected to enter production between July and September 2025 and reach showrooms before the end of the current financial year.
This marks Yamaha’s most decisive move yet into the Indian electric two-wheeler market, signalling a transition from its earlier focus on low-speed utility scooters for Europe to a more performance-driven offering tailored for India’s dynamic and growing EV segment.
India-Centric Development, Global Intent
The RY01 will be manufactured in India and exported to global markets, making it a cornerstone of Yamaha’s broader electric mobility plans. The development effort is being led jointly by Yamaha’s engineering teams in Japan, the United States and Europe, in collaboration with River, which is handling engineering, R&D, powertrain integration and manufacturing.
While the RY01 will be based on the same platform as River’s existing Indie e-scooter—sharing its powertrain and battery management system (BMS)—it is expected to feature a distinct design that reflects Yamaha’s signature sporty styling.
Strategic Collaboration with River
Yamaha’s collaboration with River is rooted in more than just product development. The company invested $40 million in River’s Series B funding round in 2024, a move that underscores the strategic nature of the partnership. This alliance allows Yamaha to leverage River’s innovation, local manufacturing capabilities and understanding of the Indian EV landscape to reduce time-to-market and ensure cost competitiveness.
Unlike Yamaha’s previous partnerships, such as its collaboration with Taiwan’s Gogoro, which focused on battery-swapping scooters for urban mobility, the RY01 is geared toward performance – aligning with Yamaha’s brand heritage in India, which has long been associated with sporty and dynamic motorcycles.
Market Context and Competitive Landscape
Yamaha’s entry comes at a time when India’s electric two-wheeler segment is gaining considerable momentum. The fiscal year 2024–25 saw EV two-wheeler sales cross the one million mark for the first time, reaching 1.15 million units and accounting for over 6 percent of overall two-wheeler sales.
Key players in the current market include Ola Electric, TVS Motor, Bajaj Auto, Ather Energy and Hero MotoCorp’s Vida. As competition intensifies, global brands are stepping in – Honda has already launched the Activa e: and QC1, while Suzuki is expected to unveil its e-Access model shortly. Most of these models are aimed at the family scooter segment, targeting high-volume products like the Ola S1 and TVS iQube.
Yamaha, by contrast, is taking a more focused approach with the RY01, targeting customers looking for performance and design, rather than pure utility.
Looking Ahead
Beyond the RY01, Yamaha is also developing a new global EV platform, which will integrate insights from multiple international markets, including India. This platform is expected to underpin future electric models slated for release in 2026–27.
Meanwhile, River continues to scale its presence, with plans to expand its retail footprint across India and begin exports to up to 11 international markets. If successful, the RY01 project could serve as a blueprint for Yamaha’s future electric vehicle rollouts, both in India and abroad.
This partnership illustrates how established manufacturers are increasingly relying on agile startups to remain competitive in fast-evolving markets, blending global expertise with local execution to meet rising consumer expectations in the EV age.
