Japanese Big Four team up for hydrogen motorcycle project

The big four Japanese motorcycle manufacturers will team up to develop hydrogen-powered engines for small mobility motorcycles.

In a joint announcement, the brands revealed they have received approval from the Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to form a technological research association called HySE (Hydrogen Small Mobility & Engine Technology).

While electric-powered vehicles have been hailed as a solution to the planet’s environmental problems in recent times, many experts believe a multi-pronged approach is necessary to address issues in the mobility sector. This includes looking at other energy sources like hydrogen and synthetic fuel.

However, with hydrogen posing a number of technical challenges such as fast flame speed and larger region of ignition, and limited fuel tank capacity in small mobility vehicles, the HySE group will use their expertise to address practical issues.

"We are extremely pleased to announce the planned formation of the association, said HySE chairman and Yamaha executive, Kenji Komatsu. “There are many challenges in the development of hydrogen-powered engines, but we hope to see the association's activities advance the fundamental research in order to meet those challenges."

The responsibilities will be split between the four companies. Honda will conduct research on the model-based development of hydrogen powered engines, while Suzuki will study the functionality, performance and reliability of hydrogen-powered engines. Yamaha and Kawasaki will jointly conduct hands-on research using real hydrogen-powered engines.

Yamaha will also study the requirements for a hydrogen refuelling system and hydrogen tanks for small mobility vehicles, while Kawasaki will study auxiliary equipment for a fuel supply system and tanks, and the equipment installed between the fuel tank and the injector.

In addition to the four motorcycle manufacturers, the project will also be supported by Toyota, which brings experience in designing larger hydrogen-fuelled power units for cars.

Kawasaki is also a member of the CO2-Free Hydrogen Energy Supply-Chain Technology Research Association (HySTRA) and will use that expertise to drive forward the HySE project.