6 • July 2023 • Powersports Business

Executives of Kawasaki ., Suzuki , Honda and Yamaha pose for photos at a press conference in Tokyo on May 17 , 2023 . Photo courtesy of Kyodo News

Honda Motor Company , Kawasaki Motors Corporation , Suzuki Motor Corporation and Yamaha Motor Company have announced they will work together to develop hydrogenpowered engines for future two-wheelers and other transportation vehicles .

The companies have received approval from the Ministry of Economy , Trade and Industry to form a technological research association called HySE ( Hydrogen Small mobility & Engine technology ) for developing hydrogen-powered engines for small mobility .

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

The move comes amid tightening regulations on gasoline-powered vehicles and a growing shift to electric vehicles worldwide . “ Hydrogen is a type of next-generation clean energy that has a huge potential ,” says Yoshihiro Hidaka , president of Yamaha at a press conference .

The association will collaborate in the basic research for hydrogen-powered engines , while the decision to develop products for commercial use will be up to each company . Although there has been a rapid shift toward electric models , Hidaka said it is important to have a broad range of green vehicles to better reduce carbon emissions . The organization is also considering installing such engines on minivehicles , small boats and drones .

Main research and development areas and the role of each company are listed below :

Research on hydrogen-powered engines Research on the model-based development of hydrogen-powered engines -Honda

Element study on functionality , performance , and reliability of the hydrogenpowered engines -Suzuki

Hands-on research using real hydrogenpowered engines on their functionality , performance , and reliability -Yamaha Motor and Kawasaki Motors

Study on hydrogen refueling system

Studying the requirements for a hydrogen refueling system and hydrogen tanks for small mobility -Yamaha

Study on fuel supply system

Studying the auxiliary equipment required for a fuel supply system and tanks , and the equipment installed between the fuel tank and the injector -Kawasaki Motors

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The logos and service mark on this advertisement are property of Protective Asset Protection , Inc . and are protected by copyright , trademark and / or other proprietary rights and laws . The Protective logo and trademarks are owned by Protective Life Insurance Company . motorcycle rides in the Fargo area and in his spare time , Johnson enjoys knitting and sewing .

Rudy Muller was added to its sales team roster . Muller will

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RUDY MULLER

cover the Colorado area .

He has several years of mechanic and sales rep experience at the dealer and vendor levels . He also has a racing history of Motocross and Super Hooligan .

In his free time , Rudy enjoys all things motorized in Colorado , from cruising the hills on his Harley to snowmobiling in the mountains to single track dirt biking .