Kawasaki, Suzuki, Honda and Yamaha will form a technological research group called Hydrogen Small Mobility and Engine Technology (HySE), with the aim to develop hydrogen-powered motorcycles, among other forms of mobility, that use internal combustion engines.
The overall focus will be on ‘small mobility’.
Small mobility is defined as motorcycles, mini-vehicles, small marine vessels, construction equipment, drones and so forth.
The four Japanese manufacturers have received approval from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to form the research group, with each of the manufacturers assigned a different role within HySE.
The project will also be supported by Toyota and Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
“To realise a decarbonised society, a multi-pathway strategy to address various issues in the mobility sector is necessary, rather than focusing on a single energy source,” note the manufacturers in a statement.
“Against this backdrop, research and development targeted at the commercialisation of mobility with engines powered by hydrogen – deemed a next-generation energy source – is gaining momentum.”
The use of hydrogen poses a number of technical challenges, including fast flame speed and a large region of ignition, which often result in unstable combustion, as well as limited fuel-tank capacity in the case of small mobility vehicles.
The members of HySE hope to work together to establish a design standard for a small mobility hydrogen-powered engine, among others.
“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,” says Kenji Komatsu, chairperson nominee of HySE, as well as executive officer of the technical research and development centre at Yamaha.
“We are committed to this endeavour with a sense of mission to preserve the use of internal combustion engines.”