The Big Four Japanese Manufacturers Join Forces For Hydrogen Power

Kawasaki Motors, Ltd, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd, and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. have jointly announced that they have received approval from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to form a technological research association called HySE (Hydrogen Small mobility and Engine technology).

Kawasaki Motors, Ltd, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd, and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. have jointly announced they will be investing in a hydrogen future together…

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. 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. 

However, the use of hydrogen poses technical challenges, including fast flame speed and a large region of ignition, which often result in unstable combustion, and the limited fuel tank capacity in case of use in small mobility vehicles. In addressing these issues, the members of HySE are committed to conducting fundamental research, capitalising on their wealth of expertise and technologies in developing gasoline-powered engines, and aim to work together with the joint mission of establishing a design standard for small mobility’s hydrogen-powered engine, and of advancing the fundamental research endeavours in this area.

In addition to the full members (the four aforementioned motorcycle manufacturers), Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. and Toyota Motor Corporation support the association as special members. Kawasaki Heavy Industries, being one of the main organisers of the CO2-free Hydrogen Energy Supply-chain Technology Research Association, will drive forward HySE’s activities based on the knowledge gained from its activities for HySTRA. Toyota, on the other hand, will assume the role of leveraging HySE’s research results to the maximum benefit for the development of hydrogen-powered engines, utilising its know-how on experiments, analyses, and the designing of large hydrogen-fueled power units for four-wheel vehicles.

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