KAWASASKI

Ninja H2: the brand's new hydrogen-powered motorcycle made its public debut at the Suzuka Circuit

Kawasaki, a Japanese motorcycle manufacturer, is yet another automaker that is investing in a future with zero carbon emissions. Following the reveal of the hydrogen-powered Ninja H2 SX motorcycle last year, the prototype has made its first public appearance in Japan.

Kawasaki began work on a hydrogen motorcycle project in March last year, based on a modified combustion engine powered by somewhat bulky H2 tanks behind the rider.

In December, conceptual renderings became reality when a working prototype was revealed ahead of track testing. Now the hydrogen-powered model has appeared publicly.

The 998cc supercharged inline four-cylinder engine now includes direct H₂ injection into the cylinder via a specially developed fuel delivery system and hydrogen fuel tanks.

These tanks contain high-pressure gas containers and are filled with hydrogen at the rear of the bike in minutes.

This means drivers can still enjoy the roar and vibration of an engine between their legs and announce their presence on the road without needing to make artificial sounds. Kawasaki says a small amount of engine oil is burned during the process, but the only other emission is water.

“Hydrogen engines produce energy like conventional gasoline engines: air is sucked in, mixed with fuel and then burned,” said project leader Satoaki Ichi.

However, most hydrogen production is not that environmentally friendly. Therefore, drivers would need to fill their tanks with so-called green hydrogen, which uses clean energy for its production.

This form of H₂ is currently the exception rather than the rule, but when hydrogen-powered vehicles become more common, perhaps this scenario will change.

The hydrogen-powered Ninja H2 motorcycle made its public debut at the Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture, Japan, on July 20.

by Mundoquatrorodas