Piaggio, Honda, KTM and Yamaha Sign Agreement For Promotion Of Swappable Batteries
- By MT Bureau
- September 07, 2021
Piaggio, Honda, KTM and Yamaha have officially signed an agreement for the creation of the Swappable Batteries Motorcycle Consortium (SBMC). The multinational two-wheeler brands had initially signed a letter of intent on the first of March.
The consortium aims to achieve widespread promotion of the use of light electric vehicles (mopeds, scooters, motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles) in the transport sector. The founding members believe that the availability of commonly developed swappable battery solutions can bring about sustainable life-cycle management of batteries. They find it key to the development of low-voltage electro mobility.
The underlying aim of the consortium is to find solutions to the concerns customers may have regarding the future of electromobility, such as range, charging time and infrastructure, and costs. This will be achieved in accordance with four primary goals that involve the development and expansion of battery technology.
Michele Colaninno, Chief of Strategy and Product, Piaggio Group, said, “Urban mobility is going through a delicate moment of transition towards electrification. Thanks to our Consortium, representing four major global players, motorbikes will continue to play a key role in the urban context. Swappable batteries give the right answer to speed up the recharging time of vehicles, offering an additional valuable choice for users. Urban mobility is part of the Piaggio DNA and history. Our aim is to bring all our technological know-how and attitude for innovation to the Consortium.”
Yoshishige Nomura, Chief Officer, Motorcycle Operations, Honda, said, “Honda believes that the widespread adoption of electric motorcycles can play an important part in realising a more sustainable society. In the Consortium we have created, the founding members from the motorcycle industry and other stakeholders will work together towards standardising swappable batteries, their charging systems and surrounding infrastructure to create the environment for their use. Our final goal is to ensure that motorcycles will continue to be chosen as a useful method of transportation in future mobility.”
Stefan Pierer, CEO, PIERER Mobility AG, said, “Together with our partners, we will work to deliver a swappable battery system for low-voltage vehicles (48V) up to 11 kW capacity, based on international technical standards. We very much look forward to ensuring that electric-powered two-wheeler vehicles maintain their role in the future of urban and non-urban mobility.”
Takuya Kinoshita, Senior Executive Officer, Chief General Manager of Land Mobility Business Operations, Yamaha, said, “The Swappable Batteries Motorcycle Consortium in Europe is finally ready to get to work. I hope that this first step forward will be a beacon that draws like-minded parties to our mission and leads to transformative changes for the future. We at Yamaha Motor are confident that through this initiative, we can help unify the differing technical specs and standards and contribute to maximising the merits of electric power for customers around the world.”(MT)
Suzuki Motorcycle India Conducts Access Mileage Contest In Rupnagar
- By MT Bureau
- March 05, 2026
Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), the subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, held the Suzuki Access Mileage Contest in Rupnagar (Ropar), Punjab. The initiative involved 40 Suzuki Access owners and prospective buyers to evaluate the scooter’s fuel efficiency in city conditions.
The contest is part of a series of customer engagement events designed to demonstrate the mileage, pickup, and build quality of the Suzuki Access. The event was organised in association with Soni Suzuki and focused on real-world performance metrics for daily commuting.
The event targeted owners who purchased their scooters within the last year. To ensure transparency, the contest followed a specific testing protocol, where participants rode on designated city roads covering a distance of 20 kilometres. Scooters started with a full tank. Upon completion of the route, tanks were refilled to determine the exact fuel consumed. The mileage for each participant was calculated based on the fuel used over the 20-kilometre distance.
In addition to the mileage runs, the event included test rides for prospective customers and feedback sessions with existing owners regarding vehicle reliability and comfort.
Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “The Suzuki Access Mileage Contest places a strong focus on fuel efficiency, bringing our brand promise of ‘Pickup Bhi, Mileage Bhi, Shandar Quality Ke Sath’ to life. By riding on city roads, participants experience the scooter’s real-world mileage. Along with mileage, customers also get to experience the quality and reliability that have made the Access a trusted choice of over 6 million customers. We appreciate the participation from customers in Rupnagar. We will continue to extend such on-ground initiatives to more cities across India, allowing customers to connect closely with our two-wheelers and witness their performance firsthand.”
Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles Launches Roadster Red Wolf Edition At INR 209,950
- By MT Bureau
- March 03, 2026
Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles has announced the release of the Yezdi Roadster ‘Red Wolf’ edition as a retrospective reference to the brand’s 1970s icons, featuring deep-red paint and chrome detailing across the engine, exhaust and handlebars.
The motorcycle is positioned as a long-haul roadster and will be available at authorised dealerships across India at an introductory price of Rs 2,09,950 (ex-showroom Delhi).
The Red Wolf is powered by a 350 Alpha2 liquid-cooled engine. It features a segment-first 6-speed gearbox equipped with an assist and slipper clutch. It gets dual-channel ABS from Continental with 320mm front and 240mm rear discs. Telescopic front forks and dual rear shocks, 795mm seat height and 171mm ground clearance, widest-in-segment rear tyre and 12.5-litre fuel tank providing a range exceeding 350 km.
The model incorporates a sculpted fuel tank, wide rear and hugger fenders and a modular solo or pillion seating setup. The ergonomics include centre-forward footpegs to create a relaxed riding triangle for touring. The exterior is finished with LED lighting and a twin-barrel exhaust system.
The motorcycle is supported by an ‘Ownership Assurance Programme’, which includes a standard 4-year or 50,000 km warranty, with options to extend coverage to 6 years. The programme also offers up to 8 years of roadside assistance and maintenance plans covering 5 years across 450 service points.
Anupam Thareja, Co-Founder, Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles, said, “The Red Wolf joins the pack of Roadsters from Yezdi, the only true India-born classic motorcycle brand in the world. It is a name which does not have to invent stories. It has them in every decade. Like a true Yezdi forged in India, the Roadster Red Wolf has the rare ability to set the rider up to look good, almost rakishly so, without trying too hard. Its vintage swagger is a throwback to Yezdi’s palette of deep reds and metallics from the 1970s. Only this time, beneath its unapologetic chrome lies performance engineering built for Indian roads and modern riders. We’ve built Yezdi Roadsters for those who don’t follow the pack. The Red Wolf is ready to gather its own.”
Yamaha Motor India Launches XSR155 Metallic Black Variant At INR 158,990
- By MT Bureau
- March 02, 2026
India Yamaha Motor has expanded its XSR155 line-up with the introduction of a ‘Metallic Black’ colour option at INR 158,990 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
The new variant features golden upside-down (USD) front forks and minimalist bodywork, following the brand’s ‘Modern Retro Sport’ design philosophy. The XSR155 was originally launched in the Indian market in November 2025. It is built on Yamaha’s Deltabox frame and includes an aluminium swing arm.
The motorcycle utilises a 155cc liquid-cooled, 4-valve engine equipped with Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) technology. The XSR155 produces 13.5 kW of power and 14.2 Nm of torque. It features 6-speed gearbox with an assist and slipper clutch, USD front forks and linked-type monocross rear suspension, deltabox frame with 17-inch wheels and dual-channel ABS and Traction Control System (TCS).
Hajime Aota, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India Group, said, “At Yamaha, innovation is driven by emotion and shaped by our riders. The exceptional response to the XSR155 since its debut reflects the strong resonance of the Modern Retro Sport philosophy in India. When our community expressed a clear aspiration for a black variant, we acted with agility and purpose. The introduction of the Metallic Black XSR155 is not just about a new colour — it is about deepening our connection with riders who seek individuality, performance, and styling in one compelling package. We remain committed to delivering products that inspire pride of ownership and pure riding excitement.”
Royal Enfield Sales Exceed 100,000 Units in February 2026
- By MT Bureau
- March 02, 2026
Chennai-based mid-sized motorcycle specialist Royal Enfield has reported monthly sales of 100,905 motorcycles for February 2026, an 11 percent increase over the 90,670 units sold last year.
Domestic sales grew by 13 percent to 91,248 units, while exports saw a marginal decline of 2 percent to 9,657 units. For the current financial year-to-date, total sales have reached 1.12 million units, a 24 percent increase compared to the previous year.
To address demand, parent company Eicher Motors has approved a USD 116 million (Rs 958 crore) investment for a brownfield expansion at the Cheyyar manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu. This project, expected to be completed over the next 18 months, will increase annual production capacity from 1.46 million units to 2 million units.
In international markets, the Royal Enfield Bear 650 received the ‘Best Naked Bike’ award at the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) 2026. The company also opened its first international apparel store in Russia.
B. Govindarajan, Managing Director, Eicher Motors and CEO, Royal Enfield, said, “February continues the positive momentum we have seen this financial year, reflecting sustained demand across markets and our growing global community. To prepare for current and future growth, we recently announced plans for a capacity addition that will be achieved over the next 18 months through a brownfield expansion at our Cheyyar manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu. This will take our annual production capacity up to 2 million units from the existing 1.46 million units. Rooted in our long-term goal to build readiness into our operations, this expansion aims to serve our community as the demand grows. We remain optimistic about the road ahead.”
Comments (0)
ADD COMMENT