| Kawasaki e-1 | |
| Manufacturer: | Kawasaki motorcycles |
| Parent Company: | Kawasaki |
| Production: | 2023 (to commence) |
| Class: | Electric motorcycle |
| Transmission: | 1-speed, chain drive |
| Tires: | F: 100/80R-17 R: 130/70R-17 |
The Kawasaki e-1 is an electric motorcycle produced by Kawasaki, which markets it in two variants: a naked Z e-1 and a Ninja e-1 sport bike with fairing.
Kawasaki debuted its "Endeavor" prototype electric motorcycle at EICMA 2019. The prototype, shown at EICMA as the "EV Project", had a claimed peak and continuous output of, with an estimated range of ; it is approximately the same size and weight as the Ninja 650, respectively, with a curb weight of . The prototype also was equipped with a four-speed gearbox, chain drive, and regenerative braking.[1] [2] [3] Patent filings indicate the prototype had been under development since 2010.[4]
The two e-1 bikes are the first production electric motorcycles from the company. Kawasaki demonstrated prototype e-1 bikes in August 2022 at the Suzuka 8 Hours race;[5] the official announcement was made at EICMA that November. The two e-1 bikes share a common chassis and traction motor. Styling is identical to the gasoline-engined bikes, the Z400 and Ninja 400.[6] Brakes and wheels are borrowed from the earlier Z300 and Ninja 300.[7]
Because the e-1 uses a single-speed reduction gear and the traction motor occupies the same space as the transmission, there is no clutch and gear lever; however, the rear brake is operated by a foot lever, rather than a left-hand lever as typical for scooters.[6] Rated output is,[8] designed to conform with the requirements of the Class A1 driving licence in European markets.[6]
There are two slots for removable batteries, each with a capacity of 1.5 kW-hr.[6] Each lithium-ion battery weighs approximately .[9] Kawasaki is a member of the Swappable Battery Consortium for Electric Motorcycles, established with Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha in April 2019 to standardize battery size and format and facilitate battery swapping.[10] The Consortium established Gachaco, Inc. with ENEOS in April 2022,[11] which launched a battery sharing/swapping service in Japan that fall using the (MPP).[12] MPP was introduced in 2017 for the Honda PCX Electric.[13]