Suzuki’s sequel shows that Japan is still on track with their hydrogen motorcycle aganeda as hydrogen mobility seems to be gaining more attention. The hydrogen motorcycle that this Japanese motorcycle brand unveiled at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show showed that Suzuki is fully capable of redefining what a hydrogen motorcycle could mean. Suzuki is looking towards electric motors and fuel cells for a modified internal combustion engine (ICE) that runs on hydrogen gas. All in all, Suzuki is looking towards a cleaner mobility future defined by hydrogren.
Suzuki breaking away from the hydrogen fuel norm
Suzuki has toyed with the idea of hydrogen motorcycles and while hydrogen motorcycles are not entirely new, Suzuki approaches the hydrogen agenda in an all new way. Suzuki tested hydrogen fuell cells in Burgman prototypes. During this testing process, the focus fell on converting hydrogen into electricity to offer power to a quieter electric motor.
Now Suzuki is breaking away from this hydrogen fuel norm with the newest prototype that sees hydrogen being burnt directly in the existing Burgman 400’s 400cc single-cylinder engine,. This motorcycle now falls in the hydrogen ICE (internal combustion engine) category. Where this newer way of thinking surpasses the older approach is that it reduces manufacturing and service cost in the process.
Yes, Suzuki is still looking at hydrogen and in doing so the Japanese automaker has also found its place in the HySE (Hydrogen Small mobility & Engine technology) collaboration working alongside Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki to further enhance hydrogen-fueled engines for much smaller platforms.
A hydrogen burner on offer showing hydrogen’s advantage
Looking beyond the possibilities of a gasoline-powered engine, Suzuki has explored the possibility of a hydrogen-burner and looks at more than just that of replacing the fuel. When relying on hydrogen, change is to be expected. Hydrogen fuel burns far quicker and ignites rather easily. Engineers at Suzuki would have to have implemented adjustments to the fuel injector, combustion chamber design, and cylinder head to achieve what they set out to.
Although Suzuki had to consider all new engineering possibilities, the advantage offered by relying on hydrogen makes the ride worth it. With hydrogen, refueling can be done rather quickly.
Why rely on hydrogen over fuel cells?
There are some advantages to choosing hydrogen as a fuel choice, but there could be many reasons why Suzuki chose to deviate from the cleaner fuel cell alternative.
While fuel cells result in no emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrogen tends to be far less expensive since Hydrogen ICEs can be built using existing engine platforms thus making manufacture simpler.
Although practicality and cost effectiveness may be the reason Suzuki chose the hydrogen route, there is a key trade-off. Hydrogen ICEs are far less efficient in comparison to fuel cells. Thus far, the range specs has not be unveiled by Suzuki.
Perhaps this trade-off is the price motorcycle drivers will have to pay in order to bypass longer charging times. For practicality reasons and due to cost effectiveness, Suzuki has a solide reason for relying on hydrogen. Suzuki surely has surprised with hydrogen motor, but this Japanese automaker always has something better up its sleeves including that of patents that can shock the world.
Where to with hydrogen and Suzuki?
So far, the hydrogen-powered Burgman is still a prototype, but the reason why Suzuki is so invested in hydrogen combustion.The well-known motorcycle company is looking at ways to cross the bridge between electrification and petrol-powered cycles.
The answer to the question: why don’t hydrogen motorcyles exist is that the HySE collaboration, comprising of Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha, are working on it. Hydrogen potential will surely be expanded as the HySE continues to grow. It surely is worth keeping on track with the latest in terms of this hydrogen agenda.
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