Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki to co-develop hydrogen small mobility engines
The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has granted
approval to Yamaha Motor Co., Honda Motor Co, Kawasaki Motors and Suzuki
Motor Corporation to form the technological research association HySE
(Hydrogen Small mobility and Engine technology), which will develop
hydrogen-powered engines for small mobility – suitable for fitment to
motorcycles, small marine vessels, construction equipment and
mini-vehicles from Japan.
With the mobility sector looking for ways to decarbonize, research
and development programs aiming to commercialize hydrogen engine
mobility are increasing in number.
The use of hydrogen for mobility does, however, come with its own set
of challenges. These include fast flame speed and a large region of
ignition, which can result in unstable combustion. Other technical
issues include the limited fuel tank capacity of smaller vehicles.
To overcome such technical challenges, the HySE consortium will draw
on each company’s respective expertise in petrol-powered engines to
establish a design standard for small hydrogen-powered engines and
advance research in this area.
“We are extremely pleased to announce the planned formation of the
association,” said Kenji Komatsu, chairman nominee of HySE and executive
officer of the Technical Research & Development Center, Yamaha.
“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. We are committed
to this endeavor with a sense of mission to preserve the use of
internal combustion engines, which epitomize the long-time efforts that
our predecessors have invested.”
Honda will be responsible for researching the model-based development
of hydrogen-powered engines, with Suzuki conducting element studies on
the functionality, performance and reliability of the power-trains. Both
Yamaha and Kawasaki will carry out physical research using real
hydrogen-powered engines.
Yamaha will also study the requirements for a hydrogen refueling
system and hydrogen tanks for small mobility, with Kawasaki studying the
auxiliary equipment required for a fuel supply system and tanks, and
the equipment installed between the fuel tank and the injector. PT31052023