- Yamaha YE-01 will make an exhibition run at MXoN 2026
- Developed jointly with French electric motorcycle specialist Electric Motion SAS
The Yamaha YE-01 Racing Concept is preparing to move beyond the show floor and onto a motocross track. Yamaha Motor has confirmed that the electric motocross concept will make an exhibition run at the 2026 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) in Ernée, France, beginning 2 October. The project is being developed with an eye on participation in the upcoming MXEP electric motocross racing series for now. As of now, there is no indication from Yamaha that the motorcycle is set for production, or a future India launch.
Yamaha has worked with French electric motorcycle manufacturer Electric Motion SAS, or EM, combining its own motocross experience with EM’s knowledge of electric powertrains. Yamaha says the motorcycle uses chassis technology derived from the YZ450F programme, while its dedicated electric power unit has been jointly developed by the two companies.
The YE-01 was first displayed at EICMA 2025. Putting the motorcycle through an exhibition run at MXoN should provide a much clearer indication of how seriously Yamaha is treating the project. Yamaha had earlier said that competition would also help it develop electric control systems and thermal management knowledge.
Engineers developed a new frame using experience gained from the YZ450F and says the objective is stable handling and precise control. Ground clearance stands at a substantial 345mm. Overall dimensions are 2,175mm in length, 825mm in width and 1,275mm in height.
Perhaps the most unusual feature is the, ahem, clutch. Electric motorcycles generally do away with clutches because an electric motor can deliver drive without a conventional gearbox or clutch arrangement. Yamaha has instead fitted the YE-01 with a hydraulic wet multi-plate clutch. The company says this allows the rider to manage drive force using the clutch lever which should retain an important element of control familiar to motocross riders. The motorcycle uses a liquid-cooled AC synchronous motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. Yamaha has not revealed output, battery capacity, weight or riding duration yet.
Interestingly, the Indian market is beginning to produce motorcycles that make the idea of a lightweight electric dirt-focused machine less far-fetched than it once appeared. Ultraviolette’s upcoming Shockwave is the clearest example. While it is not a dedicated motocross racer like the YE-01, its specification moves electric motorcycles away from conventional commuter territory and towards recreational riding.
That makes the two motorcycles quite different propositions but relevant to the same broader conversation. Shockwave is being developed as a usable production motorcycle, whereas the YE-01 is currently focused on competition. Still, that does not remove the opportunity. A future production model influenced by the YE-01 could work in India if Yamaha were to move slightly away from a competition-only spec. A lighter electric trail or enduro motorcycle with long-travel suspension, simple charging and usable road equipment could potentially sit in the space that the Shockwave is beginning to explore.
