- Yamaha XMax SPHEV teased
- Will get three modes and two boost modes
- Could be showcased by the end of the year
Yamaha has official released videos of the XMax SPHEV- its series parallel hybrid scooter. This makes it the second motorcycle manufacturer to be working on a petrol-electric motor after Kawasaki.
The hybrid system that Yamaha has employed is a conventional internal combustion engine and a generator fitted directly on the crankshaft. It produces electricity that powers an electric motor connected to the rear axle. Now, the XMax SPHEV features three riding modes. It can either function as a pure electric scooter with the series hybrid configuration or a performance-focused boost mode. In automatic mode, the scooter starts in EV mode and uses just the rear axle motor. However, in the series hybrid mode, the engine propels the rear wheel via a belt drive and replenishes the battery through the crankshaft mounted generator.
Yamaha’s hybrid system offers two distinct boost modes- Dual Boost and Triple Boost. The former engages both the internal combustion engine and the rear axle electric motor for increased acceleration. The Triple Boost mode uses the engine and axle-mounted electric motor work with the generator to contribute torque to the crankshaft which results in a significant boost to power and torque.
While the Yamaha XMax SPHEV is clearly in its prototype stage and the technology is still under development, we can expect the manufacturer to unveil the production version by the end of 2025.
