Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha the big four Japanese bike makers are following up on their agreement to standardize EV motorcycle batteries to develop hydrogen-powered motorcycles. They are starting a research group named the HySE or Hydrogen Small mobility and Engine technology. This formal agreement is to divide the industrial efforts to reduce carbon emissions at large. The Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry blessed HySE to work on commercializing Hydrogen powered motorcycles. Kawasaki and Toyota Heavy Industries are also pitching in on the project.
The major names in the automobile industry Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha are following up on their agreement to standardize EV motorcycle batteries to develop hydrogen-powered motorcycles. The big four Japanese bike makers are starting a research group named the Hydrogen Small mobility and Engine technology or HySE for short.
As per the official release from the big four companies, the HySE is going to study and develop the use of hydrogen to power engines. They plan to use this technology in motorcycles, particularly Japanese-originated mini-vehicles presumably Kei cars, small marine vessels, construction equipment and drones.
It means all possible bike projects would have more or less adaptation of current gas-powered engines. According to the research and development head of Yamaha, the success of this concept could be the height of the bike manufacturers’ efforts to build internal combustion engines.
This formal agreement between the bike makers is to divide the industrial efforts to reduce carbon emissions. They believe decarbonizing at large requires a multipronged approach instead of relying on individual methods like EVs.
Since hydrogen has its own problems, this research is also addressed towards challenges like its fast flame speed and large ignition region. With similar fuel tank capacity, hydrogen motorcycles could also pose a challenge in terms of range. But overall, how to make commercially viable small hydrogen engines is the major issue for HySE.
The team is also focusing on studying how to develop a large-scale refueling system and studying the auxiliary equipment needed for fuel supply in hydrogen-powered motorcycles, including the bikes’ hydrogen fuel tanks and injectors.
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry blessed the HySE initiative to go ahead and work on commercializing hydrogen-powered engines. It is going to be a time-taking journey with lots of different moving pieces on a shifting board. Maybe this is why Kawasaki and Toyota Heavy Industries are pitching in on the project.
Motorcycle rides are considered dangerous but with scientists sounding the alarm on climate change hydrogen powered motorcycles seem a better idea in the long run.
Source: Honda