KATHMANDU: Yamaha Motor India has partnered with River, a Bengaluru-based startup, to develop a high-performance electric scooter tailored for the Indian market.
Codenamed the RY01, this collaboration marks a strategic shift for Yamaha as it targets the premium electric two-wheeler segment in India.
According to the company, it will start production of RY01 between July and September, with a market launch expected in the first quarter of 2026. The scooter will be manufactured in India and exported to the global markets.
Instead of building a completely new electric vehicle from scratch, Yamaha will use River’s existing Indie EV platform for the RY01. According to the company, the platform will be upgraded with Yamaha’s signature sporty design and premium features, and combine the strengths of both companies.
As per the agreement, River will oversee R&D, powertrain integration and manufacturing at its Karnataka-based facility, while Yamaha will focus on the design and overall product vision.
The RY01 is expected to be a stylish and reliable performance-oriented electric scooter well-suited for India’s rapidly growing EV market.
Yamaha invested $40 billion in River’s Series B funding round in 2024. Unlike Yamaha’s earlier electric venture with Taiwanese company Gogoro, which centered on battery-swapping technology, the RY01 is focused on delivering premium performance, matching Yamaha’s strong image in India.
India’s electric two-wheeler market is booming, with sales crossing 1.15 million units in FY2024/25. While domestic brands like Ola, TVS, Ather, Bajaj and Hero dominate the market, Yamaha aims to stand out in the crowded space with a high-performance EV for India as well as the global market.
Yamaha is also working on a global EV platform to support its future electric offerings which are expected to launch between 2026 and 2027. River, on the other hand, is preparing to expand to 11 international markets, as demand for smart electric mobility solutions rises globally.
In Nepal, Yamaha operates a local assembly facility through its authorized distributor MAW Enterprises. While the Nepali market is dominated by petrol-powered two-wheelers, interest in EVs is growing steadily. Indian EV brand Ather has already entered the Nepali market to cash in on the shift in consumer preferences.
Though River scooters are not yet available in Nepal, Yamaha may be launching the RY01 with its own badging to benefit from its existing assembly infrastructure and dealership network.
