The new YE-01 has come out into the open. Yamaha’ s electric motocrosser is still in development concept form but the collaboration between Yamaha and EV specialist company Electric Motion( EM) is already well down that track, pardon the pun. Yamaha says the concept machine aims to be as close to a 450cc riding experience as possible and part of this is that the liquidcooled electric drivetrain is paired to a hydraulic clutch, just like the internal combustion version. Using a traditional clutch allows the rider to use inputs other than just throttle to get what is needed, when it is needed, giving a new level of rider control in the‘ lectric sector, unlike other market offerings. Battery location has been deliberately placed to put the mass exactly where it needs to be to create the same feel and balance as the reverse cylinder on the I. C. E machines, again giving the riders as smooth a transition into the E class as possible. Suspension components will come from the same shelf as the non-electric models( a lot of riders will be stoked about that), so expect the Yamaha YE01 to hit the track at the pointy end. With the new class featuring at selected rounds next season, it will be interesting to see the reaction of the crowds as the E-machines whizz past without the visceral sound that has always been synonymous with motocross.