The hydrogen-powered motorcycle has emerged as the latest iteration of the motorcycle of the future, following significant investments, particularly from the Asian automotive sector. Kawasaki and Suzuki have both made significant hydrogen-powered motorcycles that have propelled the technology forward; however, a new commitment by this mythical brand has the potential to revolutionize the motorcycle sector and, in turn, the automotive sector as a whole. Can the world embrace the hydrogen-powered motorcycle as they have the electric-powered version?
Hydrogen requires serious study and investment in infrastructure
The hindrance that the hydrogen sector has faced has come in many forms. Challenging market, lack of infrastructure, no public interest, we could go on. However, since the hype around the electric motor has died down, the inevitable thorns in the rose that is the electric motor began to prick both its producers and its customers. Much to the dismay of the world, it turns out there are some tangible drawbacks to the electric motor.
Hydrogen is getting the research that it deserves, at last
As the world grows slightly weary of the electric motor and the new set of problems it presents, hydrogen has emerged as a viable alternative fuel for the automotive sector. Due to a lack of investment, hydrogen never got the kind of attention that it required in order to better understand it and how best to make use of it. Some seriously intelligent people have grouped under the PwC Consulting LLC to study hydrogen further, some of them are:
- Masahiro Shioji, Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University
- Mutsumi Fujita, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization
- Hiroya Ueda, Chairman, Research and Steering Committee, Hydrogen Small Mobility Engine Research Association (HySE), Technical Research Association, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
These are just some of the eggheads that have come together to study the practical applications of hydrogen in several sectors within the mobility market. The study will initially focus on smaller internal combustion engines powered by hydrogen for motorcycles, eventually leading up to bigger engines for the shipping industry and other sectors.
What are the details behind this new motorcycle partnership?
With any type of new technology or fuel coming into the automotive sector, the fastest way to propel the knowledge and practical applications forward is through a partnership or alliance of foes of some kind. The motorcycle market in Asia is highly competitive, so to see four companies coming together to work on a project is a rare and special occurrence indeed.
Who is leading the charge in this new partnership emerging from the land of the rising sun?
Honda has announced a partnership with Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki to further study and test the hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine. The new partnership will be known as the Hydrogen Engine Consortium and will concentrate on hydrogen-powered combustion engines made specifically for motorcycles. It is a major commitment to hydrogen that is not shared by others in the automotive sector.
Honda has taken their study of hydrogen even further, as they currently have a project on a spaceship in outer space to test how certain materials behave in microgravity, which could positively affect the hydrogen industry as well. The commitment to hydrogen comes off the back of Honda making its plans known to be carbon neutral by 2050.
Is this new partnership what hydrogen has needed to get off the ground?
The Hydrogen Engine Consortium represents the Japanese automotive manufacturers’ commitment to pursuing the next fuel for the world’s mobility needs that is emission-free. The alternative fuel sector is booming at the moment, and as such, significant investments are needed to keep that momentum going. Honda is one of the automotive world’s most well-known brands and has found immense success globally. If they want to keep that success going, they, along with their compatriots, will need to make this new consortium work.
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