We weten al langer dat Kawasaki aan elektrische voertuigen werkt. Op de Intermot motorbeurs in Keulen werd het eerste productie prototype aan het grote publiek voorgesteld, nadat we het eerder in actie zagen tijdens de 8u van Suzuka. Het gaat om een Z125/Z300 kruising die volledig elektrisch aangedreven wordt, al benadrukte de Managing Director van Kawasaki Europe dat het merk alle mogelijke aandrijfvormen onderzoekt.
Het is nog steeds wachten op een technische fiche, al is het wel duidelijk dat Kawasaki een elektrische motor heeft die op korte tijd in productie kan gaan. Het gaat om een lichtgewicht nakedbike in de trend die we bij verschillende andere merken op de Intermot ook reeds zagen staan, maar dan uiteraard met de nodige gifgroene trekjes. Wanneer we effectief een Kawasaki elektrisch model kunnen bestellen, is vooralsnog afwachten.
PERSBERICHT:
Kawasaki unveils EV production prototype at Intermot
On Tuesday 4 October Kawasaki offered a tempting glimpse of just one option for future motive power by revealing the prototype of a promised EV production machine.
First seen in action at the Suzuka 8 Hour event, the EV model was one element of a wide-ranging speech presented by Managing Director of Kawasaki Motors Europe, Mr Masaya Tsuruno.
Reflecting on the commitment of Mr Hiroshi Ito, the President of Kawasaki Motors, to present at least three electric vehicles globally by 2022, Mr Tsuruno stressed that the prototype – that was on display for just the duration of the Press Conference – would form the basis of an actual future production machine.
While underlining Kawasaki’s continuing commitment to Internal Combustion Engines, Mr Tsuruno added that both E-fuel and Bio-fuel were among the options being considered in addition to the much reported research into hydrogen as a possible carbon neutral choice.
With its undoubted huge internal resourced and experience, Kawasaki is well placed to play a significant part in both the transport evolution via new and emerging technology, in addition to an enviable track record of internal combustion engine innovation. And, as Mr Tsuruno explained, the company is actively involved in partnerships which are not confined to simply the two-wheel world but encompass both automotive and other future-focused technologies, commenting that: “We are highly motivated and strongly connected and will continue our research and development”.
In closing, Mr Tsuruno revealed that the company is committed to further strengthening the Kawasaki brand, to offer products and services that meet customer needs, continue research into carbon neutrality and explore every opportunity.