Yamaha’s New Electric Dirt Bike Just Might Change Motocross Forever

Electric mobility has moved far beyond scooters and commuter bikes. It’s now entering the dirt, where power, balance, and control are everything. The world of motocross has always been about evolution: lighter materials, smarter electronics, better suspension. Bikes like the Stark Varg have proven that the next big leap isn’t mechanical, it’s electrical.

And as racing organizations push for cleaner tech, brands like Yamaha are stepping up with real prototypes that could redefine what a dirt bike feels like.

That brings us to the Yamaha YE-01 Racing Concept, a fully electric motocross bike built in partnership with French trials specialist Electric Motion. For those unfamiliar, Electric Motion has carved a solid name in electric trials competition, fielding bikes that have competed from club to world championship level. Yamaha, meanwhile, has spent decades perfecting motocross performance with its YZ lineup. The two companies share one thing in common: they both know how to make motorcycles feel alive, and that’s exactly what this collaboration aims to prove.

The YE-01 will compete in a new electric motocross category called MXEP, which will run alongside the FIM Motocross World Championship in Europe. It’s designed to demonstrate that electric bikes can deliver the same intensity and precision as their gas-powered counterparts. To make that happen, Yamaha built the YE-01 around a familiar foundation: the upcoming 2026 YZ450F chassis. It carries over the same KYB fully adjustable suspension, ergonomics, and contact points, ensuring riders feel right at home the moment they throw a leg over.

At the heart of the bike is a liquid-cooled electric powertrain co-developed with Electric Motion. Yamaha says it delivers MXGP-level performance, which suggests power figures on par with a modern 450 cc motocrosser, roughly 55 horsepower. The battery pack sits low in the frame, mimicking the central mass of a traditional engine. According to Yamaha, this layout improves the center of gravity in much the same way as the YZ450F’s reverse-head engine. The goal is to keep the handling sharp and predictable so the bike behaves like a proper motocross machine, not a science experiment.

In a surprising but welcome move, Yamaha and Electric Motion kept a hydraulic clutch. For casual riders, that might seem unnecessary on an EV, but motocross racers rely on the clutch for precise throttle modulation, especially on jump faces or tight ruts. The feature comes straight from Electric Motion’s trials expertise, giving riders a mechanical connection that feels familiar. It’s an intentional move to make the transition from combustion to electric as seamless as possible.

The YE-01 also packs multiple ride modes, traction control, and other electronic aids that adapt power delivery to track conditions. While Yamaha hasn’t shared exact specs for battery capacity, range, or weight, the company describes the bike as “capable of running full-length motocross races,” which suggests solid thermal and energy management. Development will continue through Yamaha’s in-house motocross test riders before the first MXEP races kick off.

If this all sounds like a bold experiment, that’s because it is. But it’s also the kind of move the industry needs. The partnership between Yamaha and Electric Motion isn’t just about proving that electric bikes can be fast; it’s about showing they can feel authentic. For riders who grew up on the smell of race gas and the sound of screaming four-strokes, that emotional link is the hardest thing to replicate.

The YE-01 doesn’t claim to replace traditional motocross, at least not yet. What it does is point toward a future where electric and combustion bikes can share the same track and deliver the same rush of adrenaline. If Yamaha and Electric Motion can pull that off, it could mark one of the biggest turning points motocross has ever seen.