Nippon alliance for hydrogen combustion in motorcycles

The Japanese motorcycle manufacturers Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, and Suzuki want to test the hydrogen combustion engine in smaller vehicles as well and have now received approval from the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry to form a technological research consortium named HySE (Hydrogen Small mobility & Engine technology). This consortium aims to develop hydrogen-powered engines for small mobility. To realize a decarbonized society, a multi-track strategy is considered necessary to address various issues in the mobility sector instead of focusing on a single energy source, subtly criticizing the battery-electric focus. Against this background, research and development for the commercialization of hydrogen-powered motor mobility - considered the energy source of the next generation - is gaining momentum, the providers believe.

They do concede, however, that the use of hydrogen comes with technical challenges, including the high flame speed and large ignition range, which often lead to unstable combustion, as well as the limited tank capacity when used in small vehicles. The members of HySE are committed to conducting basic research and leveraging their extensive expertise and technologies in developing gasoline engines. They aim to collaborate to create a design standard for hydrogen-powered engines for small vehicles and to advance basic research in this area. The members intend to further deepen their cooperative relationships to offer users a variety of small mobility options to meet their diverse needs and thus contribute to the realization of a low-carbon society.

"There are many challenges in developing hydrogen-powered engines, but we hope that the association's activities will advance basic research to address these challenges. We see it as our task to preserve the use of combustion engines, which represent the long-standing efforts of our predecessors," stated Kenji Komatsu, nominated chairman of HySE and Executive Officer of the Technical Research & Development Center, Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd.