Yamaha has introduced its 2025 XMax SPHEV (Series-Parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicle) concept scooter with a highly developed hybrid system, which combines conventional engine with two electric motors therefore providing superior riding flexibility and efficiency.
The hybrid prototype is built on XMax platform and employs an engine/dual-motors propulsion system, which is internal combustion engine (one single-cylinder) plus two electric motors integrated into the periphery drive and mounted to the crankshaft respectively, where the latter is used as a generator to supply power to the battery.
The SPHEV technology also allows Yamaha to have multiple operating modes; there is a full-electric mode suitable in urban environments where more silent and zero-emission riding is preferable; a hybrid mode lets the engine and motor operate at the same time and generate greater speed; and a series-hybrid mode where the engine works independently of the motor to charge the battery.
This invention also has two modes of boost, a Dual Boost which engages the engine and the drive motor simultaneously, and a Triple Boost which engages all three motors (engine and drive and an additional generator motor) to produce as much torque as possible.
At its current prototype level, the point of whether the SPHEV system will be taken into mass production has not been clarified yet by Yamaha. Nevertheless, the technology has been proposed by the executive to be used on other categories of vehicles in the future since the company targeted other vehicles like the sport bikes and street motorcycles.
Yamaha SPHEV concept is a great step in the category of 2-wheeled vehicles, especially after Kawasaki has shown the way by introducing the series of hybrid motor cycles. The promise of the new system is cleaner and more efficient scootering with less problems of big battery systems.
