The development of off-road electric motorcycles continues to take steps, and the EP01 is one of the latest examples. Electric Motion has shown this prototype at the Lyon Show, in the experimental phase but with certain signs of being able to reach production one day. And, precisely, in offroad, electric has many pros also in terms of performance.
In this case, the project’s relationship with Yamaha is evident. The EP01 comes after the YE-01 Racing Concept presented at the last EICMA, a motorcycle that already showed part of the joint work between both brands. In that case, the name was Yamaha, but electrical development was largely carried out by Electric Motion.
Here the approach changes, because we are no longer dealing with a competition motorcycle, but rather the EP01 aims directly at a broader use, with the possibility of reaching production in a version approved for street use, something that was not on the table in the previous concept.
Unfortunately, the unit seen in Lyon was not shown in full, but the little that could be seen through the official images makes the focus quite clear on not being a motorcycle designed only for use on the circuit, since it would have a lighting system.
The EP01 has a well-known base and a detail that makes a difference
On a technical level, the EP01 uses a configuration very close to Yamaha’s WR platform. Double beam aluminum chassis, aluminum swingarm and the classic 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel scheme.
The suspensions, according to the information, seem to be signed by KYB, in line with the combustion enduros of the Japanese brand. There is no confirmed data, but it would be a most logical choice.
The most striking point is in the transmission system. The water-cooled electric motor incorporates a hydraulic clutch. It is an unusual detail in this type of motorcycle and could change the driving sensation quite a bit and bring it closer, in a certain way, to what current users are used to.
What can be clearly seen is the area of the drive pinion, where there is no shift lever. This suggests that the EP01, at least in this version, would not use the four-speed system that Electric Motion has already developed in other models.
For now, there is no information on price or release dates. EP01 is still in the development phase, but it makes it clear that this line of work has further to go than it initially seemed.
