Yamaha unveils new ELECTRIC scooter. AND it comes with interchangeable batteries.

After joining forces with Gogoro last year, Yamaha has just revealed its new EC-05 electric scooter.

Yamaha’s starting to get serious about electric. A couple of months ago it was announced that its joining forces with the biggest Japanese bike brands going to develop electric tech together – and last year, it teamed up with Taiwanese electric motorcycle specialists Gogoro.

Now we’ve got the first look at the fruits of the partnership, with Yamaha showing its all-new EC-05 electric scooter. At the minute, it’s only for the Taiwanese market. But why Taiwan? Well, Gogoro already operate more than 1,000 battery exchange stations, so the infrastructures there and it’s good to go.

At this stage, the majority of the technical information is still unavailable, but we do know it’s capable of hitting speeds of 60mph, and will return up to 60 miles off a single charge. Included with the scooter, you’ll get two 2170 lithium-ion batteries. One’s rented – which means you’ll be able to exchange it at recharging stations across the country, while the other remains in the scooter full time (although it can be removed to be charged at home).

The first models will begin to arrive in Taiwan in August – but at this stage, there’s been no news if the scooter will make it to other international markets. Gogoro has already got a foothold in Europe with the introduction of moto-sharing schemes, so it wouldn’t be a huge leap to see the new Yamaha EC-05 in a city near you in the not too distant future – although a seriouis investment in battery charging and exchange stations would be required before the infrastructure catches up with Taiwan.