Hydrogen-powered Engines Incoming From The Big 4 Japanese Bikemakers

After entering a consortium for electric mobility technology together earlier, Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda and Kawasaki (the Japanese big four) have collaborated once again to develop hydrogen-powered engines. 

The four brands formed a technological research band called HySE (Hydrogen Small mobility & Engine technology) after the big four received approval from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI). The HySE now will research and develop hydrogen-powered engines for small mobility, which likely suggests two-wheelers given the background of the four companies.

Playing distinct roles in this collaboration, Honda is to research model-specific development of hydrogen motors. While Suzuki will study the functionality, performance, and reliability of such engines, Yamaha and Kawasaki will carry out research on these aspects using real hydrogen powered engines. 

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In addition to that Yamaha and Kawasaki will also be researching hydrogen refueling, fuel supply systems and more equipment-related aspects. It will be interesting to see how the brands go about this as the most challenging thing with hydrogen is storage as it is less dense than gas resulting in easy escape through materials. Joining in as special members are Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Toyota Corporation bringing in their existing Hydrogen-powered research expertise. Kawasaki is no novice to hydrogen power as it already showcased its hydrogen fuel cell powered Ninja at the EICMA 2022.

You can also head here to know the pros and cons of hydrogen-powered two-wheelers.

Apart from electric mobility, alternate fuels are also an integral part of the future of mobility. The four brands investing in this form of propulsion is a good business move as it reduces the industry’s dependency on resources related to electric vehicles. While the collaboration is still in its nascent stages, it’ll just be a matter of time until the four brands come up with a concept.