Yamaha's Hybrid Gamble: Inside the SPHEV Dual-Motor Prototype
- Buck City Biker
- May 6
- 3 min read
Yamaha’s latest prototype isn’t just a bike with a twist—it’s a full-blown rethink of what hybrid motorcycles can be. Dubbed the SPHEV (Series Parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicle), this machine combines a single-cylinder petrol engine with not one, but two electric motors. And while it may be hiding inside a modified XMAX scooter shell (we think), make no mistake: this thing is packing some seriously forward-thinking tech.
Let’s break it down for the curious and the sceptical alike.
Three Motors, No Waiting
Yamaha’s hybrid system combines:
A single-cylinder petrol engine (likely the XMAX 300's 292cc unit),
A rear-mounted drive motor, and
A generator motor bolted to the engine’s crankshaft.
The result? A bike that can switch between full-electric, hybrid, and full-ICE propulsion—and even combine all three for a triple-boost shot of torque when you need it.
Yamaha’s official modes include:
EV Mode – Silent electric-only cruising, perfect for low-speed urban traffic.
Hybrid Mode – The petrol engine runs solely to charge the battery while the e-motor powers the rear wheel.
Engine Drive Mode – Good old-fashioned petrol-powered riding.
Dual Boost Mode – Both the engine and rear electric motor deliver power to the rear wheel.
Triple Boost Mode – All systems go: both electric motors assist the petrol engine, with torque hitting the crankshaft and the wheel. Triple Boost Mode engages all three power sources—though the generator motor doesn’t drive the wheel, it assists the engine directly at the crankshaft.
It’s not quite Iron Man’s arc reactor, but it’s arguably the most sophisticated (or complicated) hybrid motorcycle drivetrain we've seen to date.
What's Under the Bodywork?
The prototype appears to be based on a modified XMAX 300, though Yamaha hasn’t officially confirmed the base model. But there are significant differences from your average commuter scoot:
Battery, inverter, and control unit sit inside the floorboard area—so no feet-forward riding here. Yamaha swaps the scooter footboards for standard motorcycle-style foot pegs.
The rear drive motor connects directly to the wheel, providing power during EV and hybrid modes.
The upside-down front forks and radially mounted brakes suggest Yamaha isn’t just chasing efficiency—they want performance, too.
The exhaust has been pushed over to the left side to make room for the e-drive unit at the back.
As for performance numbers? Yamaha has only revealed that the prototype hit 90km/h (56 mph) on a dyno test. Not exactly blistering—but keep in mind that’s without confirming whether that was in hybrid mode or ICE-only, and with a likely limited testing battery configuration.
We don’t yet have confirmed figures for:
Battery capacity
Electric motor output (kW/hp)
Curb weight
Range (EV/hybrid/combined)
But we do know that regenerative braking is in play, and the bike’s electric systems can recover energy during deceleration—an important factor in boosting urban range.
More Than a Scooter?
At the end of Yamaha’s announcement video, eagle-eyed viewers spotted a little teaser: a silhouette of the company’s CP3 triple engine—you know, the one found in the MT-09. Could this SPHEV tech migrate into the world of high-performance naked bikes or even sport tourers? Yamaha’s staying tight-lipped, and the hint is ambiguous.
This prototype isn’t just about reducing emissions or sipping fuel—it’s about options. Want to commute in silence? Done. Need extra torque to overtake on a highway? Triple boost mode has your back. It’s a platform, not just a niche experiment.
Why It Matters
For e-moto fans in Europe, the UK, the U.S., India, and Australia, this might be the most “bridge the gap” bike we’ve seen. In regions where charging infrastructure is still spotty—or where riders want the familiarity of petrol with the perks of electric—hybrids like the SPHEV could hit a sweet spot.
This isn’t Yamaha’s first dance with hybrids (they’ve shown hybrid concepts since the 2000s), but this SPHEV system is easily their most ambitious to date. If it reaches production—and especially if it scales to bigger bikes—could this be the hybrid motorcycle that actually sticks?
So, what do you think? Would you ride a hybrid Yamaha with two electric motors—one driving the wheel, the other supporting the engine? Or are you holding out for full EVs with longer range and faster charge times?
Ride safe, folks.
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