Yamaha XMAX SPHEV Hybrid Unvieled With 2 Electric Motors & 1 ICE

Yamaha is again at the forefront of the motorcycling scene with notable changes in the field. Hybrid tech may not be new in the automobile industry. Many makers have also well put hybrid power systems in motorbikes as well. This allows motorbikes to work with both the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and Electric Power from the Battery.

However, this time, Yamaha has taken a step further and has recently revealed a version of its XMAX 125 Scooter with a 125 cc petrol-driven engine, along with two electric motors.

Yamaha has opened new doors of new tech with its XMAX SPHEV (Series Parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicle) Hybrid. Japanese Big Four are known for bringing changes to motorbike engine tech. Surely, the Yamaha XMAX SPHEV Hybrid is one of the greatest examples.

Like most of us, if you don’t know how the XMAX SPHEV Hybrid works with its two electric motors and a single ICE engine, let’s find out in detail in this article.

As per the early reports, the Yamaha XMAX 125 Scooter is used as a base model for trials. It is for the early testing of the three-engine SPHEV setup. Based on its success, Yamaha plans to develop the same SPHEV system for its bikes.

A three-engine SPHEV (Series Parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicle) setup may sound quite complex, mainly when installed on the XMAX 125 scooter. Even so, the credit goes to the company that it has built in a refined way.

From the early previews, the Yamaha XMAX SPHEV Hybrid doesn’t look like a scooter. It looks like an all-round advanced electric bike. Still, from its step-up frame, we can tell it is based on the Yamaha XMAX 125 Scooter. Even if you don’t know it from its frame, the seat installed on the Yamaha XMAX SPHEV Hybrid reveals it is truly based on the XMAX 125 scooter.

The best part about the Yamaha XMAX SPHEV Hybrid is its small size, which is the same as a normal motorbike. Despite being built with a complex three-engine SPHEV Hybrid system, the Yamaha XMAX 125 Hybrid still maintains a decent and lightweight look. It doesn’t look bulky and bulbous at all.

As per the engineers working on the Yamaha XMAX SPHEV Hybrid project, one of the major goals was to keep the size and weight down in a decent range.

The three-engine setup, including one ICE engine and two electric motors, along with a battery, is added perfectly. Towards the front, there is a battery system right at the belly of the Yamaha XMAX SPHEV Hybrid. The battery unit also has the Inverter and VCU (Vehicle Control Unit).

As you move back, a generator motor is installed, which is also attached to the engine. The 125 cc ICE engine is then attached to the rear drive wheel alone.

The rear or drive electric motor is directly attached to the rear wheel. The Yamaha XMAX SPHEV Hybrid uses an electric motor as its main drive powertrain. But, there is also a separate rear wheel drive system attached to the engine that starts working at above normal speed. Let’s get into details about how the Yamaha XMAX SPHEV Hybrid works.

As you start the Yamaha XMAX SPHEV Hybrid and start riding it at normal speed, it will use the electric power from the battery installed. The battery installed delivers power directly to the drive motor attached to the rear wheel. As a result, the Yamaha XMAX Hybrid continues to run at normal speeds. This is known as Auto Driving Mode.

At such normal speeds, the Yamaha XMAX SPHEV Hybrid’s battery pack is charged through braking. This is the same system in most hybrid cars and bikes.

As the battery power goes down, the engine starts working. As a result, the engine also activates the generator motor. This motor starts producing electric power, which then goes into the inverter to charge the battery. At this point, the rear wheel is still driven by the drive motor, and the engine is only working to run the generator motor, not the rear wheel.

When you twist the throttle further to ride the Yamaha XMAX SPHEV Hybrid at medium and high speeds, the battery power cuts off. The ICE engine takes full duty of driving the rear wheel. The rear wheel has two drive systems, one through the electric drive motor and the other one through the engine power.

At this point, the electric drive motor doesn’t power the rear wheel. Only the ICE engine is driving the Yamaha XMAX 125 Hybrid rear wheel.

Depending on the speed of the Yamaha XMAX Hybrid bike, the rear drive motor is also activated to maintain power and speed. This is known as the Boost Mode or Dual Boost Mode, where both the engine and drive motor drive the rear wheel.

When you twist the throttle further up for high speeds, the generator motor starts working as well. At this point, the whole Yamaha XMAX SPHEV Hybrid’s three-engine HEV System is working at the same time. This allows maximum power to be delivered by the system at top-end high speed, known as the Triple Boost Mode. In addition to the engine power and drive motor, the generator motor also adds up to the driving force.

If you have ever ridden an electric motorbike or a scooter, you know how quiet they are. Similarly, the Yamaha XMAX SPHEV Hybrid ensures a quiet and smooth riding experience at normal speeds while working solely on electric power. At such a speed range, the Yamaha XMAX Hybrid works similarly as an electric scooter for urban commuting, especially in housing areas.

The Yamaha XMAX SPHEV Hybrid’s dual and triple boost driving modes allow riders to ride easily for overtaking, highway riding, and long-distance riding.

Though Yamaha has shown test-phase previews, the Yamaha XMAX SPHEV Hybrid’s production or release date is not confirmed. It is in the early phase of testing. The company hasn’t revealed any tech details or specs of the engine and the battery pack installed in the XMAX SPHEV Hybrid. It is yet to be seen whether the Yamaha XMAX Hybrid is a game changer and a useful commuter.