Yamaha e-Bike 30th Anniversary

The electrically power-assisted bicycle, or e-Bike, is seeing impressive growth around the globe today, but it was Yamaha Motor that pioneered the first e-Bike back in 1993.

The first system mounted our signature Power Assist System (PAS), in which an electric motor is used to provide an assistive force to the pedalling power of the rider in a manner that feels natural and in tune with human perceptions. Simply named the PAS after its headline feature, the bicycle was hailed as the first of its kind in the world and enjoyed a successful market debut.

This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Yamaha e-Bike and its systems, and we would like to thank all our customers for their years of support as well as once again affirm our dedication to offer e-Bikes that help make every day more fun and fulfilling.

The e-Bike Prototype

From the late 1970s, Yamaha Motor began looking for possible ways to address various societal issues in Japan, from problems in the energy sector, local environmental challenges, and traffic congestion to the country’s falling birthrate and rapidly aging population. We eventually turned our eyes to the bicycle and its advantages as one of the original means for greater personal mobility. To retain the ease and convenience of a bicycle while effectively compensating for its inherent weaknesses, like difficulty going up slopes, into headwinds, or riding with luggage, Yamaha developed a prototype personal commuter vehicle anyone could enjoy riding that used an electric motor to provide additional power proportional to the user’s own pedalling force.

The World’s First Production e-Bike

The original Power Assist System (PAS) was composed of a torque sensor that detects the force being applied to the pedals; a speed sensor to detect the speed of the bicycle in motion; a computerised controller coupled to the electric motor that generates assistive force; the drive unit transmitting that assistive force to the rear wheel; and the battery that powers the system. The electric motor provided a supplementary force nearly equal to that put to the pedals by the rider. Once the model was ready and released to the market, it marked the birth of the world’s first e-Bike.

A New Detachable Battery Debuts

The PAS C featured a new detachable nickel-cadmium battery in 1995. Lighter than conventional lead batteries, this battery was also less susceptible to changes in ambient temperature, provided more stable current, and had a higher cycle life - which means the number of repeated charges and discharges before performance dropped improved dramatically. Employing this battery also offered users the choice to charge it while it was still mounted on the bicycle or removing it to be brought indoors for charging, thereby improving convenience.

The Intelligent Flexible Energy System (IFES)

To bring out the full potential of the nickel-cadmium battery, the Intelligent Flexible Energy System (IFES) for battery management was developed. The system’s computer unit enabled status and data sharing among the principal PAS components of the battery, charger, and onboard controller. The ever-changing state of the battery such as current, voltage, use frequency, usage conditions and battery temperature, is sent to the charger and controller to simplify battery life maintenance and management. The PAS Royal featuring the IFES was also equipped with an automatic refresh function to prevent battery memory effect.

A Compact and Lightweight Centre-Mounted Drive Unit

In pursuit of even greater usability, a compact and lightweight centre-mounted drive unit employing a brushless DC motor using rare-earth magnets was developed. The new direct-to-chain assist arrangement brought higher efficiency and lower loss and enabled a smooth but powerful ride feel. The adoption of a new torque sensor not only reduced resistance felt at the pedals but also provided a light pedalling feel akin to a conventional bicycle when not receiving a power assist. Locating the drive unit near the pedals also aided in balancing the bicycle’s weight, making it easier to move around.

Lithium-Ion Batteries Arrive

Despite its small size and light weight, the first lithium-ion battery for a PAS model featured excellent output characteristics. Compared to a nickel-metal hydride battery of the same size, the lithium-ion battery boasted 32% more capacity and was a significant 25% lighter. The battery’s discharge characteristics at high current were superior, it had no disadvantageous memory effect, and could be recharged whenever required. Plus with a newly designed standing charger, battery charging became a much simpler task. Lithium-ion battery benefits also enabled Yamaha to add a new power mode to the bicycle.

The Brace Debuts and One Million Unit Mark Reached

The Brace model represented a greater emphasis on using e-Bikes for fun. Brace parts and features were aimed squarely at high performance, including an 8-speed internal-gear hub, a high-rigidity diamond frame, front suspension, Shimano V-brakes front and rear, semi-slick tires, and an adjustable handlebar stem. Yamaha Motor also hit the one million mark in cumulative e-Bike drive unit production in 2008.

Export of e-Bike System Kits Begins and the PW Series Launches

Yamaha Motor began supplying bicycle manufacturers in Europe—which had become one of the world’s leading e-Bike markets—with e-Bike system kits. These kits packaged our drive unit, battery, display, and dedicated charger together. That same year, we developed the new PW Series e-Bike system kit. The kit contained a compact, lightweight, and high-performance centre-mounted drive unit that directly transmitted motor power to the crankshaft, and weighed just 3.5 kg (excluding the sprocket) while producing a maximum peak torque of 80 Nm and a maximum continuous torque of 70 Nm. The PW Series was Yamaha’s answer to demands for drive units yielding ample freedom and flexibility when devising layouts for fitment.

The YPJ-R Series of Sport e-Bikes Hits the Road

Yamaha Motor released the YPJ-R electric road bike designed to offer an entirely new way to enjoy recreational cycling by combining a high-performance road bike with e-Bike power. The YPJ-R used the compact and lightweight PW Series drive unit from the e-Bike system kit for light weight, high performance and fun. cumulative e-Bike drive unit production reached 3 million units in April 2015.

The YDX-TORC e-MTB Debuts and Yamaha e-Bikes Launch in the US

Yamaha Motor launched the YDX-TORC e-MTB model, which featured the top-end PW-X drive unit developed specifically for mountain bike duties. The YDX-TORC provided Yamaha’s signature powerful yet smooth delivery, as well as assist power with a highly responsive feel that quickly reacted to pedal input. It achieved a level of performance that enabled users to get maximum fun out of the e-MTB riding experience. Yamaha Motor also made an exciting entry into the rapidly growing e-Bike market in the US by introducing four new models - the aforementioned YDX-TORC, the Urban Rush drop handle road bike, the CrossCore fitness bike, and the CrossConnect city bike for everyday recreation and utility.

A Milestone Five Million e-Bike Drive Units Produced

Since starting production in 1993, Yamaha Motor rolls off its five millionth unit e-Bike drive unit.

The YDX-MORO Pro Flagship e-MTB Is Released

Yamaha Motor releases the YDX-Moro Pro e-MTB in 2020, a flagship model developed with the concept of providing a fun, exciting, and extraordinary riding experience. The compact, lightweight, and powerful PW-X2 drive unit enables steady delivery at high crank cadence and is mounted in Yamaha’s patented Dual Twin® frame. This design splits the frame into upper and lower sections to cage the battery, mount the drive unit, and integrate the suspension components. The design features excellent chassis rigidity and weight balance. The YDX-Moro Pro also utilises uniquely Yamaha technologies throughout, such as the mountain-ready front and rear suspension and the Quad Sensor System.

Yamaha Expands e-Bike Product Range

Yamaha launches three new complete Yamaha models on the global stage - the YDX-Moro 07, Wabash RT, and CrossCore RC. Australia receives the YDX-Moro 07 a year later. The YDX-Moro 07 uses our Dual Twin® frame design, which houses the new, lighter, and smaller PW-X3 drive unit that produces powerful torque. This All-Mountain weapon also comes with compact control switches, a minimalist display, and top-shelf e-MTB components to improve ride performance. The Wabash RT is a gravel e-Bike that offers the comfort of a road bike with off-road performance for heading off the beaten path, such as to flat trails or gravel roads. The CrossCore RC is do-it-all urban e-Bike model that is equally capable of handling commuting duties as well as embarking on longer rides through suburbia.