Yamaha has taken a significant step towards entering India’s electric two-wheeler market. Production of the Yamaha EC 06 Electric Scooter has begun at River’s manufacturing facility in Hoskote, Karnataka. The EC-06 is Yamaha’s first electric scooter for India and is based on the same platform as the Bengaluru-made River Indie.
The start of production suggests that Yamaha is now moving closer to a commercial launch, following the scooter’s initial reveal late last year.
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Co-developed with Bengaluru startup River
The Yamaha EC 06 Electric Scooter is the result of Yamaha’s investment in River, a homegrown electric vehicle startup. After backing River a few years ago, Yamaha announced its intention to develop an electric scooter for India using River’s technology and production setup.
Under this partnership, River is responsible for manufacturing the EC-06, while Yamaha will sell and service the scooter through its own dealership and service network. For Yamaha, this approach allows a quicker and more cost-effective entry into the electric scooter market, without having to build a separate EV manufacturing ecosystem from scratch.
Shared platform and hardware with River Indie
Mechanically, the Yamaha EC 06 Electric Scooter is closely related to the River Indie. Both scooters use a 4kWh battery pack paired with an electric motor capable of delivering 6.7kW of peak power. Yamaha claims the setup is good for a top speed of around 90kph, putting it in line with other premium electric scooters sold in India.
Most of the chassis, electronics and core components are shared between the two models. This commonality should help keep production costs in check and make parts availability easier once the scooter reaches customers.
What makes the EC-06 different
Despite sharing its foundation with the River Indie, the Yamaha EC 06 Electric Scooter is not just a rebadged version. The most noticeable change is in styling. The EC-06 has a sharper, more streamlined design, which aligns more closely with Yamaha’s global design language.
Another key difference is storage space. One of the biggest selling points of the River Indie is its massive 43-litre under-seat boot, currently the largest on any scooter in India. The Yamaha EC 06 Electric Scooter, however, offers 24.5 litres of storage, which is much closer to what petrol scooters like the Suzuki Access provide. This suggests Yamaha is prioritising a sleeker profile over maximum cargo capacity.
Positioning in the Indian EV market
With the EC-06, Yamaha is entering a segment that has become increasingly competitive. Electric scooters from brands like Ola Electric, Ather, TVS and Bajaj already dominate sales, while new players continue to join the market.
By basing its first EV on a locally developed platform, Yamaha can reduce development time and benefit from River’s experience in Indian riding conditions. Using its own dealer and service network also gives Yamaha an advantage when it comes to reach, customer trust and after-sales support.
Expected pricing and launch timeline
While Yamaha has not officially announced the EC-06’s launch date or price, production beginning now points to a market debut in the coming months. The River Indie currently sells for about ₹1.46 lakh (ex-showroom, Bengaluru), and the Yamaha EC-06 is expected to be priced in a similar range.
If Yamaha manages to offer competitive pricing along with its brand value and dealer coverage, the Yamaha EC 06 Electric Scooter could become an important option for buyers looking for a premium electric scooter.
What this means for Indian buyers
For Indian customers, the Yamaha EC 06 Electric Scooter represents another mainstream brand entering the electric scooter space. Buyers who may have been hesitant to shift to an EV now have a product backed by a well-established Japanese manufacturer, but built around an Indian-developed platform.
Conclusion
With production now underway in Karnataka, the Yamaha EC 06 Electric Scooter is no longer just a concept or prototype. It marks Yamaha’s first real step into India’s fast-growing electric two-wheeler market, combining River’s EV expertise with Yamaha’s sales and service reach. A launch in the near future now appears increasingly likely.
Disclaimer: Prices, specifications and launch timelines mentioned are based on current manufacturer information and industry sources. Final details may change at the time of official launch. Buyers should confirm with authorised Yamaha dealers.
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Raj Prajapati is a senior automobile journalist at AutoIndia24, reporting on car, bike, EV, and auto industry developments in India.
