4 Japanese Motorcycle Makers To Develop Hydrogen Engines

Four major motorcycle makers in Japan said they will jointly develop hydrogen-powered engines, with an eye to launching them on two-wheelers and other means of transportation in the future, Kyodo News reported.

Photo Insert: The move by Honda Motor Co., Kawasaki Motors Corp., Suzuki Motor Corp., and Yamaha Motor Co. comes amid tightening regulations on gasoline-powered vehicles and a growing shift to electric vehicles worldwide.

Honda Motor Co., Kawasaki Motors Corp., Suzuki Motor Corp., and Yamaha Motor Co. said they will set up next month an organization dedicated to such research and development, in line with Japan's policy to promote hydrogen as a next-generation energy source that produces only water as an emission when used as fuel, Mainichi Shimbun also reported.

The move comes amid tightening regulations on gasoline-powered vehicles and a growing shift to electric vehicles worldwide. Japanese motorcycle makers, which have traditionally been competitive in the area of internal combustion engines, are trying to promote hydrogen as an alternative option as they utilize existing engines, unlike all-electric models.

"Hydrogen is a type of next-generation clean energy that has a huge potential," Yamaha President Yoshihiro Hidaka said at a press conference.

Toyota Motor Corp., which has been developing hydrogen engine cars, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., equipped with the know-how in transporting liquid hydrogen, will also join the organization as special members.

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