Kawasaki EV: an electric motorcycle prototype soon on the market

We thus learn that the power of the two variants will be 9 kW, or 12 horsepower, which corresponds to electric motorcycles 125. Rather correct for the Z E-1, with more urban nature, these characteristics are a little disappointing for the ninja e-1, with more sporty philosophy.

Kawasaki ninja and electric Z: finally technical details !

After a presentation last November at the Milan Deux-Roues Salon (EICMA), the first approval documents suggest the characteristics and performance of future electric motorcycles Kawasaki. We must admit that we are a little disappointed ..

Official, the information does not come directly from the manufacturer but from the documents which he has just filed with the Australian approval services accompanied by a series of visuals of two variants. While the NR011A designates the future Kawasaki Z E-1 with a style that is both light and urban, the NX011A takes on more sporty and corresponds to the future Kawasaki Ninja E-1.

First technical info

Beyond the images, close to the models presented at EICMA 2022, the homologation document provides an exclusive information handle regarding the characteristics of the two models.

We thus learn that the power of the two variants will be 9 kW, or 12 horsepower, which corresponds to electric motorcycles 125. Rather correct for the Z E-1, with more urban nature, these characteristics are a little disappointing for the ninja e-1, with more sporty philosophy.

If the battery life and capacity are not specified, we know that the manufacturer wishes to move towards an interchangeable battery system. Unofficial sources evoke a capacity of the order of 3 kWh, which does not seem huge. The technology could come from Gachaco, a company dedicated to the batteries set up by the four major Japanese manufacturers (Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha).

In terms of template, the two variants will have the same wheelbase (1370 mm). Less wide, the ninja e-1 will be slightly heavier than the Z E-1 (140 vs 135 kg).

Now remains to know the launch date of these two models. Last year in Eicma, the manufacturer mentioned 2023 but has not given any news since ..

Model name	Kawasaki Z E-1	Kawasaki Ninja E-1
Variant name	NR011A	NX011A
Power	9 kW	9 kW
Weight	135 kg	140 kg
Width	730 mm	690 mm
Wheelbase	1370 mm	1370 mm

Kawasaki EV: an electric motorcycle prototype soon on the market

Kawasaki presented in preview the first electric motorcycle that she will soon put on the market.

Unveiled in the form of a prototype during the recent intermot living room in Cologne in Germany, this electric motorcycle will be put on the market before the end of the year and is part of the Kawasaki plan aimed at offering more than 10 electric and hybrid motorcycles from here 2025. The electric vehicle prototype will be the equivalent of a 125 cc motorcycle. However, its design does not necessarily reveal that it is an electric motorcycle ! Indeed, one might think that it has a petty displacement heat engine which would have been hidden under the black bodywork. The design of the prototype is very similar to that of the Kawasaki Z400 and also has the same framework.

Otherwise, the bodywork, the rear part, the optical block and the configuration of the front suspension of this electric motorcycle also seem identical to the Z400. We only notice a difference in the tank which is smaller since it is useless in an electric motorcycle. This motorcycle would have taken the brakes and wheels from the Z300 or the Ninja 300.

Unknown power

The technical specifications concerning the Kawasaki prototype, or the production model that will follow, are not yet known and will probably not be announced as long as the road motorcycle is not revealed. The production motorcycle should be practically identical to this prototype presented today.

Masaya Tsuruno, Managing Director of Kawasaki Motors Europe, spoke of the company’s plans in Intermot. She said on the brand will present three electric vehicles worldwide by the end of 2022. She added that although Kawasaki is developing electric two-wheelers, the Japanese brand will not abandon combustion engines and envisages the use of synthetic fuel and biofuels to perpetuate the thermal blocks.