Yamaha to give YE-01 electric motocross concept an exhibition run at MXoN 2026, eyeing MXEP series
Yamaha Motor will display and run its electric YE-01 Racing Concept at the Motocross of Nations 2026 in Ernée, France, as it works toward eventual entry in the MXEP electric motocross racing series.
- September 25, 2026
- October 2, 2026
- 2050
What Happened
Yamaha Motor announced on September 25, 2026 that it will display and conduct an exhibition run of its YE-01 Racing Concept at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations 2026 (MXoN 2026), to be held in Ernée, France, from October 2. The initiative is aimed at eventual participation in MXEP, an electric motocross racing series scheduled to launch in the near future. Yamaha says the exhibition run will provide an opportunity to see the appeal of the vehicle and the potential of electric motocross.
The YE-01 Racing Concept has been jointly designed with French electric motorcycle manufacturer Electric Motion SAS (EM). It was developed under the concept "Expanding the Possibilities of Riders and Machines," incorporating YZ450F chassis technology and expertise accrued over decades of racing together with EM's power unit technology. Yamaha says the aim is to preserve the core appeal of motocross while proposing a new form of enjoyment that leverages the unique characteristics of electric power. The YE-01 was exhibited last year at EICMA (Milan Motorcycle Show), one of Europe's largest motorcycle exhibitions, and is designed to take an engaging approach to achieving carbon neutrality.
- New frame design: a newly designed frame developed based on chassis technology and expertise honed with the YZ450F, delivering high handling stability and excellent control that gives a clear connection between rider and machine.
- YE-01 Racing Concept-specific power unit: a unit jointly developed by Yamaha Motor and EM specifically for the concept, combining the EV development knowledge and expertise of both companies.
- Mechanical clutch: a standout feature for an electric motocross bike, letting the rider freely control drive force with the clutch lever, creating a sense of unity with the machine and enhancing the fun of controlling the bike.
The YE-01 is exhibited at EICMA, the Milan Motorcycle Show, one of Europe's largest motorcycle exhibitions.
Yamaha Motor announces the YE-01 Racing Concept's exhibition run at MXoN 2026 and its aim of eventual participation in MXEP.
MXoN 2026 begins in Ernée, France, where the YE-01 Racing Concept will be displayed and given an exhibition run.
Target year for carbon neutrality throughout Yamaha Motor's entire supply chain under the Yamaha Motor Group Environmental Plan 2050.
2050
Under the Yamaha Motor Group Environmental Plan 2050, covering the company's business activities and its entire supply chain, including Scope 1 and 2 emissions and emissions outside of these (Scope 3).
Yamaha Motor says it is working toward achieving carbon neutrality throughout its entire supply chain, including its business activities, by 2050 under the Yamaha Motor Group Environmental Plan 2050. The company says it will continue to conduct R&D into a variety of technologies, including electrification, that contribute to sustainability, pursuing a multi-pathway approach toward carbon neutrality. Yamaha also positions EVs as one new option for expanding the future of motocross, aiming to bring new possibilities to the sport through electrification while preserving its appeal and excitement and offering a wider variety of ways to enjoy and experience it. As the Kando Creating Company, Yamaha says it will continue delivering greater excitement and enjoyment to customers through products and services that harness the unique appeals of electric power.
Why this matters
Yamaha is putting an electric motocross machine in front of a major international race crowd, testing whether electric power belongs in the sport at the top level. The source says the effort is aimed at eventual participation in MXEP, an electric motocross racing series planned to launch in the near future, and frames EVs as one new option for expanding the future of motocross while preserving its appeal and excitement.
Terms in This Story
- MXEP
- An electric motocross racing series; the source describes it as scheduled to launch in the near future.
- MXoN
- The Motocross of Nations, an international motocross event in which national teams compete.
- Carbon neutrality
- Balancing the carbon dioxide released by an activity with an equivalent amount removed or offset, so that net emissions are zero.
- Kando
- A Japanese word Yamaha uses for the simultaneous feelings of deep satisfaction and intense excitement experienced on encountering something of exceptional value.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.