With the emergence of electric motorcycles and a multitude of new manufacturers moving in this direction, the motorcycle industry has almost resigned itself to the potential disappearance of the internal combustion engine. We talked about how several companies such as Ducati et Porsche are investing heavily in research into alternative fuels with biorenewable components, also called biofuels. Yamaha and Kawasaki are working on the hydrogen engine
A happy medium between outright electrification of two-wheelers seems to be hybridization, something that has appeared on small scooters in the Asian market, and which is now being developed to be adapted to motorcycles, for example. manufacturers like Kawasaki, or equipment manufacturers such as Vitesco Technologies. There's also hydrogen, an area Kawasaki has been working on for some time. Now, in an interesting turn of events, another renowned Japanese manufacturer is teaming up with Kawasaki: The two companies will work together to develop new hydrogen engines for use in their future motorcycle models.
Kawasaki has long considered hydrogen as an alternative fuel for its vehicles. It currently has technology that demonstrates the feasibility of hydrogen made from Australian lignite in internal combustion engines. Additionally, Kawasaki Heavy Industries also owns the world's first liquefied hydrogen carrier, called "The Suiso Frontier". Besides motorcycles, Kawasaki is also looking to make hydrogen engines for heavy vehicles and equipment such as land and sea craft, as well as a hydrogen turbogenerator.
Meanwhile, Yamaha has also expressed its strong intention to go green. Actually, the company aims to achieve 100% carbon neutrality by 2050. In the not-so-distant future, we can expect to see other major players joining Kawasaki and Yamaha in the race to produce hydrogen-powered two-wheelers. Suzuki and Honda have also drawn up plans to explore alternative fuels and carbon-neutral solutions alongside the development of electric vehicles.
