Yamaha and EM have announced the YE-01 Racing Concept, an EV-based motocross model for a new motocross category, MXEP.

Described as a “live project”, Yamaha and Electric Motion, the French trials bike manufacturer, have revealed their first colab project. The YE-01 Racing Concept will compete in the new electric motocross category, MXEP, expected to be part of the FIM Motocross World Championship, aiming to showcase prototype electric bikes across several rounds in Europe, running alongside MXGP events.

Electric Motion (EM) are already established in the trials world by now with well-developed models which compete at club to world championship level. Yamaha also pioneered with their electric trials model approaching a decade ago now which was notable at the time for its conventional hydraulic clutch.

The YE-01 Racing Concept merges advanced technologies from both Yamaha and EM with the chassis largely based on the 2026 YZ450F.

It features KYB fully-adjustable suspension which they say is also shared with the YZ450F which should mean very similar handling character to the YZ as well as feel from the bodywork, contact points and riding position.

Developed for motocross

The YE-01 Racing Concept features a liquid-cooled electric powertrain developed in collaboration with EM. It is “capable of MXGP levels of power” they say and uses a hydraulic clutch.  

The battery location is becoming a familiar one now for MX-derived electric bikes and Yamaha explain it helps the centre of gravity, “much like the reverse-head engine layout in the YZ450F does”.

They also point to power modes and rider aids, such as traction control, to change set-up for different riding conditions.

Development of the YE-01 Racing Concept will continue with Yamaha's motocross test riders as the project evolves in preparation for the start of the MXEP championship.