Kawasaki Launches Its First Electric Motorcycles, the Ninja e-1 and Z e-1

Sep. 21, 2023

 
 Ninja e-1    Z e-1


Tokyo, September 21, 2023 — Kawasaki Motors, Ltd. announced today the launch of the Ninja e-1 and Z e-1, the first electric motorcycles from Kawasaki. The new models will be released in select markets starting in October 2023. Kawasaki Motors Japan will announce the release date, sales price, specifications, etc. for the Japanese market as soon as they are determined.

The Ninja e-1 and Z e-1 were developed under the concept of “1st Kawasaki e-Motorcycle,” and they are compliant with the European A1 license class*1. The combination of a compact electric motor that delivers a maximum output of 9 kW (12 PS)*2 and a lightweight frame provides excellent acceleration performance and nimble handling, delivering Kawasaki’s signature “Fun to Ride” despite being an electric motorcycle. It also achieves a clean ride with no exhaust emissions and little heat and vibration.

The Ninja e-1 has sporty styling with a full cowl and the Z e-1 has aggressive street-fighter styling, and they will join the Ninja and Z series, respectively. They also adopt functions unique to electric motorcycles such as an e-Boost function that allows for a short period of increased power output when needed, such as when climbing hills, and a Walk mode useful when traveling at extremely low speeds, such as when parking. Those functions enhance the user’s experience and facilitate use in daily commuting and transportation. The motorcycles’ removable lithium-ion batteries can be recharged from a household outlet, enabling a driving range of 72 km*3 per charge.

Kawasaki will further strengthen its brand and take on all kinds of possibilities by providing products and services that meet the needs of customers and society, including environmental measures for carbon neutrality, to provide joy and happiness to all those involved with Kawasaki.


Main features

Power unit

  1. Compact electric motor with a maximum output of 9 kW (12 PS)
    A clean and quiet compact brushless electric motor provides a maximum output of 9.0 kW. The motor produces quick response and firm power at low speeds, contributing to sharp acceleration from stop and easy handling. It also generates less heat and vibration than a gasoline-powered engine and emits no exhaust gases.
  2. Removable batteries
    The two lithium-ion batteries the motorcycles are equipped with are removable. After removing, they can be recharged from a household outlet with a dedicated charger. The driving range per charge is 72 km.
    Batteries can also be charged while still mounted on the motorcycle (dedicated adapter required). Charging time per battery is about 3.7 hours for full charge (0% to 100%)*4 and about 1.6 hours for partial charge (20% to 80%).
  3. Road mode and Eco mode
    A Road mode for normal driving and an Eco mode to reduce battery drain by limiting output are featured.*5 Mode selection can be made with the mode switch located on the left handle. The mode can even be changed while driving as long as the throttle is fully closed.
  4. e-Boost
    e-Boost is a function that enables output to be increased for a short period time. When activated, acceleration when the throttle is opened becomes stronger and maximum speed is increased. To prevent overheating, the time in which e-Boost can be used is limited to 15 seconds. After e-Boost is deactivated, it will become available again after a certain amount of time has passed. It can also be used either while on the move or when starting if certain conditions are met.
  5. Walk mode
    A convenient Walk mode function is included for situations such as parking. When the throttle is opened in Walk mode, the motorcycle moves forward at about 5 km/h. When the throttle is turned back further from the fully closed position, the motorcycle will move in reverse at about 3 km/h. This mode is useful for traveling at very low speeds.


Chassis

  1. Lightweight trellis frame
    The same trellis frame construction as in Kawasaki’s flagship Ninja H2 model has been adopted. It is based on the frame of the 400cc class model, and the motor is mounted low on the chassis to achieve a low center of gravity and nimble handling.
  2. Nimble handling
    A frame with optimized rigidity balance and a suspension optimally set to match the chassis configuration enable nimble, highly stable, and rider-friendly handling.
  3. Brakes / wheels / tires
    The front brake is equipped with large 290 mm diameter discs and dual-piston calipers, and the rear brake has a 220 mm diameter disc and dual-piston caliper. Together, they provide high braking power. In addition, full-size 17-inch wheels and slim tires contribute to nimble and agile handling while accommodating the powerful acceleration an electric power can provide.
  4. Relaxed riding position
    Positioning of the handlebars, seat, and foot pegs is optimized to provide a comfortable riding position for a wide range of riders of differing physical builds in various riding situations. The seat height is 785 mm, and a slim seat design is adopted for good footing.


Design and Equipment

  1. Ninja Super Sports Style (Ninja e-1)
    A full cowl design with a look common throughout the Ninja series is adopted. In addition to the sporty bodywork, a finish with a high-end feel gives the bike a presence comparable to that of a higher grade model. The lower part of the cowl, where the exhaust pipes are usually located, has been slimmed down to create a sharp, compact image. All lights are LED, contributing to the high-quality appearance (the same applies to the Z e-1).
  2. Z Super Naked Style (Z e-1)
    The styling is a well-balanced combination of the aggressiveness of the Z series and the futuristic expression of an electric model. The absence of an engine and exhaust pipes results in a design with a high minimum ground clearance, further emphasizing the compact image. In addition, the area where a radiator is conventionally mounted is equipped with a head pipe cover to achieve sharp styling.
  3. Color TFT-LCD instrument panel
    The 4.3-inch full-digital TFT instrument panel has an advanced and premium feel. Display functions unique to EV models include a riding mode indicator, e-Boost gauge, battery pack temperature gauge, battery pack charge level gauge, gear position indicator (N, D, F, R), instantaneous power consumption display, and average power consumption display. And those are complemented by various other functions required on a conventional motorcycle. The motorcycle can also be connected to a smartphone via the “RIDEOLOGY THE APP MOTORCYCLE” smartphone application, enabling the use of a wide variety of functions, including recording of GPS route information and vehicle driving information.
  4. Storage box
    A storage box for gloves and other small items is located in the area that would be the fuel tank on a conventional motorcycle (5 L capacity, 3 kg storage weight).


*1    License for vehicles with displacement of 125 cc or less and maximum output of 11 kW (15 PS) or less
*2    Output varies depending on the specifications.
*3    WMTC class 1. Actual driving range varies depending on the operating environment. Driving range per charge varies depending on the specifications.
*4    Charging time may be longer depending on the environment and conditions.
*5    Maximum speed in Road mode is 88 km/h for the Ninja e-1 and 85 km/h for the Z e-1. Maximum speed in Eco mode is 64 km/h for the Ninja e-1 and 62 km/h for the Z e-1.


· Main specifications


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