Yamaha Hooks Up with Honda: New Electric Scooter Gets Swappable Batteries!

TL;DR: Yamaha is launching its new Jog E electric scooter in Japan, making big news by adopting Honda’s Mobile Power Pack e: swappable battery system. This cross-brand collaboration, stemming from a 2019 consortium, is a significant step towards standardizing battery swapping for urban two-wheelers in Japan.

Meta: Yamaha's new Jog E electric scooter will use Honda's swappable batteries, marking a major step for cross-brand battery standardization in Japan.

Alright, folks, get ready to have your minds blown, because the scooter world just got a whole lot more interesting! Yamaha, yes, that Yamaha, is rolling out its new Jog E electric scooter in Japan. And here’s the twist that’ll make you do a double-take: it runs on Honda’s Mobile Power Pack e: swappable batteries! That’s right, these two legendary rivals, usually duking it out on the track and in the showrooms, are now sharing battery packs. It’s like Batman and Superman finally agreeing to share a wardrobe – unheard of, but kinda brilliant!

This isn't some spur-of-the-moment decision; this has been years in the making. Way back in 2019, the "Big Four" Japanese motorcycle makers – Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki – formed a consortium to develop a single swappable battery standard. They were looking at how to compete with the likes of Gogoro, who'd already cornered the market on battery swapping. Instead of reinventing the wheel, they just decided to embrace Honda's system, and now we're seeing the fruits of that labor. The Jog E is the first Yamaha two-wheeler to officially hop on the Mobile Power Pack e train, kicking off a region-limited pre-sale in Tokyo and Osaka this December. It's a big step towards making electric scooters as convenient as gas ones, and that's something we can all get behind!

Swapping Batteries Like a Boss: The Gachaco Network

Now, here's the game plan: You buy the Jog E as a body-only purchase. No battery included. Instead, you subscribe to Gachaco's paid battery-sharing service. Think of it like a library for batteries – you grab a fresh, charged pack, go about your business, and when it’s low, you swap it out at one of their stations. Gachaco, a joint venture between the Big Four and energy giant ENEOS, is building out the network, with dozens of stations already popping up in Tokyo, Osaka, and Saitama. It's not quite the thousands of stations Gogoro or Kymco have in Taiwan, but hey, you gotta start somewhere, right?

This model is a genius move for urban commuting. No more waiting around for hours to charge; just a quick swap and you're back on the road. Yamaha says the Jog E is specifically tuned for dense city life, with smooth acceleration perfect for stop-and-go traffic. It's got familiar Yamaha ergonomics, because comfort is key, and it comes in dark gray and light gray – because, you know, excitement. (Okay, maybe they could work on the color palette a little, but the tech is solid!) Pricing starts at about US$1,050, excluding battery service fees and other costs, so it's an affordable entry into the electric two-wheeler world.

What’s Next

The success of the Jog E and the Gachaco network could significantly accelerate electric two-wheeler adoption in Japan, potentially influencing other markets. Expect to see more models from Yamaha and other consortium members adopting the Honda Mobile Power Pack e system. This standardization reduces range anxiety and charging inconvenience, making EVs a much more attractive option for urban riders. It's a big push towards carbon neutrality, reducing emissions from daily commutes, which is a win for everyone.

So, if you're looking for a smooth ride and a quick power-up, Yamaha and Honda just proved that sometimes, sharing is caring. And that's no joke, folks!```