Kawasaki Confirms Arrival Of Ninja 300 Electric Motorcycle

Kawasaki will roll out an electric version of its Ninja 300 sportsbike next year

• Kawasaki has been working on an electric Ninja 300 for a while now. 
• They showcased an electric rolling chassis at EICMA. 
• An electric version of the Ninja 300 was spotted being tested earlier.
• Expect the motorcycle to arrive at EICMA next year. 

Kawasaki has announced the development of an electric sportsbike at EICMA. There was even a rolling chassis on display at the Kawasaki pavilion at EICMA. An electric prototype was previously spotted testing before. While it had the Ninja 300 bodywork, the absence of an exhaust pipe indicated to it being propelled by an electric motor. This leads us to believe that Kawasaki is working on an electric version of the Ninja 300. 

Also read: Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R Unveiled At Tokyo Motor Show 2019

The rolling chassis showcased at EICMA seems to carry the Ninja 300’s suspension, brakes, wheels and even clip-on handlebars. However, instead of the baby Ninja’s diamond frame, this one gets a wide trellis type unit. It holds a large battery with an electric motor underneath. The motor seems to come with a 4-speed gearbox as well. Kawasaki has not revealed any details about the electric motor or the battery. 

Now the battery appears to have a DC fast charger called CHAdeMO that developed in Japan and used to charge electric vehicles with a 120km range in just half an hour. The motorcycle gets regenerative braking which can be accessed via a button on the switchgear. It is similar to conventional braking. Only here the braking also charges the battery. While the prototype gets an LCD instrument console we expect to see a colour TFT screen on the production model. 

The new electric Ninja is expected to be launched by late 2020/ early 2021. With the EV scene growing in India and Kawasaki already having a CKD setup up and running for the petrol-powered Ninja 300, they might as well get the electric motorcycle here via the CKD route.