Now made in France, Yamaha advances its eBike motor platform

Yamaha has announced that its eBike motor production will shift to a new wholly-owned MBK Industrie facility based in France, marking the announcement with detail on its new PWseries S2 drive unit.

In part down to the company’s aim for carbon neutrality by 2050, but also bringing its logistics closer to the heart of the European electric bike business, Yamaha relocates the production of its PWseries drives from Japan, reducing problems such as what the firm describes as a “need for expensive and recently unreliable logistics operations.”

For OEM partners, of which there are an increasing number, lead times drop “substantially” and with more localised supply other benefits are said to include optimized packing for inland EU logistics and waste reduction.

The PWseries S2 drive unit is going to be the focal point of initial production efforts, bringing forwards a motor that is said to be significantly lighter at only 2.85kg and packing more power than the current best-selling PWseries ST, which has been on the market since 2018. The motor, which has a much improved clearance and slimmer profile, delivers 75Nm of instant torque.

A new ISIS bottom bracket axle interface delivers increased rigidity – and being fully compatible with a front double chainring, the new Yamaha drive unit opens up greater possibilities for eBike manufacturers.

This multi-role drive unit caters for a multitude of riding needs, coming ideally suited to everything from commuting and general daily usage through to countryside trekking, weekend touring and mountain trail riding.

Delivered alongside is the new 3-inch LCD Display B interface, a head unit designed for ease of use and high visibility of information while in the saddle. Carrying a USB port, the head unit is able to power other bar mounted devices on the go.

The head unit can be removed from its cradle with one touch in order to prevent theft, or can be mounted more permanently with a bolt.

MBK Industrie’s St Quentin factory currently manufactures over 80,000 Yamaha motorcycles, scooters and recreational vehicles each year. With ISO 14001, for environment protection, and ISO 9001, for quality enhancement, certifications – MBK Industrie is ready to offer the highest levels of service to EU customers.

Aside from supply to OEMs, Yamaha also has its own lines of products coming via European distributors imminently.