Kawasaki unveiled its Ninja EV and Z EV prototype electric motorcycles at EICMA 2022. The company had been secretly working on electric bikes and planned to release them as production models in 2023. If you’re curious about the progress of these bikes, Kawasaki has recently filed type approval documents with Australia’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts.
The approval was granted to Kawasaki Heavy Industries Limited on July 31, 2023, and is valid until July 30, 2030. The approved vehicle is known as the model NX011A, with variants listed as NR011A and NX011A. The NR011A is the Z e-1, while the NX011A is commonly referred to as the Ninja e-1.
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The type approval document not only reveals the first images of the completed vehicles but also provides some previously undisclosed details about Kawasaki’s first two production electric motorcycles. The motor power is listed at 9 kilowatts, or a little over 12 horsepower. While this may not be extremely powerful, it’s important to note that these bikes are designed for commuting and are relatively lightweight for electric motorcycles.
The wheelbase for both the Ninja e-1 and the Z e-1 will be 1,370 millimeters, or approximately 53.9 inches. The curb weight of the Z e-1 is 135 kilograms (297.6 pounds), while the Ninja e-1 is slightly heavier at 140 kilograms (308.6 pounds).
It’s worth mentioning that the weight of electric motorcycles is largely due to the batteries. In 2023, the weight of electric vehicles is mainly attributed to their batteries due to the current energy densities and customers’ concerns about range anxiety. During the public introduction of the project at EICMA 2022, Kawasaki stated that the production versions of these bikes would utilize swappable electric batteries instead of larger, heavier packs to offer a longer range when fully charged.
Swappable electric battery packs have been demonstrated by Gogoro as a viable power source for short-range electric vehicles, particularly for urban commuter vehicles like the Ninja e-1 and Z e-1. However, Kawasaki has yet to announce how it intends to address infrastructure considerations.
Interestingly, Japan’s leading motorcycle manufacturers (Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha) formed a company called Gachaco in 2022 to develop swappable batteries for motorcycles. Although Gachaco’s focus has primarily been on scooters, it remains to be seen if Gachaco’s swappable batteries will be used to power the upcoming Kawasaki Ninja e-1 and Z e-1.