Here’s Why Yamaha Should Make Its Upcoming RX 100 An Electric Bike

Published July 25, 2022
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2 min read

The Japanese bike maker has confirmed that the iconic RX100 is making a comeback, but we explain why it makes sense for it to be in an electric avatar

Here’s Why Yamaha Should Make Its Upcoming RX 100 An Electric Bike highlights

Yamaha India’s Chairman Eishin Chihana had recently confirmed the RX100 will make a comeback. However, it’s going to be a long wait as the resurrected bike will be launched only after 2026. There are several factors that might make it challenging for Yamaha to bring out a petrol-powered 100cc performance motorcycle. So, we think Yamaha should bring the legend back in an electric avatar:

Ever-tightening emission norms:

Here’s Why Yamaha Should Make Its Upcoming RX 100 An Electric Bike details

2026 is a long time from now, and by then the industry will have implemented multiple, more stringent emission norms. In fact, the RDE norms (Real Driving Emissions) will kick in from 2023 in India. This norm will require vehicles with internal combustion engines to comply with emission levels even in the real world and not just in test conditions. Additionally, by 2026 it is likely that the Indian automotive industry would’ve graduated to BS7 emission norms.

Making small capacity engines that can comply with such stringent norms will come at a cost of performance and price. Sure, Yamaha, with its engineering prowess, can bring out a performance-packed 100cc motorcycle but its cost will be prohibitively high. More importantly, the Yamaha RX100 won hearts by being a potent 2-stroke bike with mad performance. You simply can’t replicate something like that with the regulations you have today.

Growing EV segment:

The stringent emission norms are tipping the scales in favour of electric vehicles as they make it difficult for manufacturers to make value-for-money ICE-equipped products that also offer good performance. Moreover, with the introduction of FAME II subsidies as well as state subsidies, the final cost of buying EVs has gone down even further. These measures help in widespread adoption of electric vehicles, and this in turn will also bring down the cost of lithium-ion batteries thanks to the economies of scale. Due to these factors, it would bode well for Yamaha to make a performance-packed electric bike and launch it as the resurrected Yamaha RX100. This move will be similar to how Bajaj resurrected the iconic Chetak in an electric avatar, and it seems to have worked well for the brand - not so much in terms of sales numbers, but definitely in terms of image.

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With the cost of lithium-ion batteries going down, Yamaha might be able to make a performance e-bike with reasonable range. With electric motors offering high torque at 0 rpm, Yamaha should also be able to do justice to the OG RX100’s performance. We’ll have to wait and see what Yamaha ultimately does. Whatever it is, we do hope the bike maker is able to deliver something that can live up to the RX100’s famed legacy.

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