Yamaha is bringing the Xenter name back to the big-wheel scooter category with an electric model. The Xenter E was shown at EICMA as a 125-equivalent scooter for A1-licence riders, with its European arrival scheduled for spring 2027. Its 16-inch wheels give it a clear place in the everyday urban and suburban market, where larger rims are intended to deal more confidently with potholes, cobbles and tram lines than the small wheels common on many city scooters.

Battery, motor and charging

A fixed 3.5kWh lithium-ion battery provides a claimed range of 67 miles. The Xenter E uses Yamaha’s eAxle, an air-cooled permanent-magnet drive unit that packages the motor, controller and reduction gear together. It produces 10bhp at 3500rpm and 24.6lb.ft of torque from 500rpm, with a belt sending power to the rear wheel.

Unlike a conventional scooter layout, the drive unit is attached to the frame rather than the swingarm. Yamaha says this reduces unsprung weight and makes room for a motorcycle-style swingarm. The L-shaped battery sits low and centrally in an underbone frame. That arrangement retains a flat footboard and underseat storage capable of taking a full-face helmet, although fit depends on the helmet’s dimensions. The battery carries an IP67 rating and its housing is designed to protect it from speed humps and kerbs.

An 800W onboard charger takes 5.5 hours to replenish the battery from empty to full. The charging port is housed in a side pocket and accepts either a domestic cable or an AC Type 2 plug of the kind used by public car chargers. Yamaha is also introducing a YOU Charge subscription through dealers, with access to public charging networks due to roll out across Europe from early 2027.

Chassis, controls and equipment

The chassis specification includes 16-inch wheels with 100/80 front and 120/80 rear tyres. Front suspension travel is 100mm and rear travel is 97mm; the wheelbase is 1485mm and the seat height is 790mm. Braking uses 245mm discs at both ends with ABS. Regenerative braking changes with the selected riding mode and is calibrated to imitate the deceleration feel of an engine. Traction control is standard, while a reverse function creeps the scooter backwards below walking pace when the Reverse and Mode buttons are pressed together.

The three modes are S, T and E. S is tuned for the sharpest acceleration, T is the everyday setting and E limits both acceleration and top speed to extend the range. The modes are shown on a 5-inch TFT display with day and night layouts and a power visualiser. Yamaha’s Motor On app adds turn-by-turn navigation, battery and service status and the scooter’s parking location. Standard equipment also includes a USB-C socket, a folding bag hook and smart-key ignition.

Platinum Silver and Midnight Black will be the two colour choices, both using aqua accents. Planned accessories include a tall screen, apron, lever guards and a 34-litre top box. The 13-inch-wheeled NMAX E uses the same powertrain and has a claimed 104km range; both electric scooters will be built in Vietnam. Pricing for the Xenter E has not been announced, with details due from individual distributors. Yamaha also displayed a petrol-powered Xenter concept at EICMA, presenting it as a high-wheel twist-and-go scooter with ABS and traction control for urban and suburban commuters buying their first powered two-wheeler.