A motorcycle is only as good as its internal combustion engine.
A year and a half ago, I wrote in this column about the What do you think of electric bikes, frankly?I wrote.
In that article, I wrote that electric bikes are a different kind of vehicle from bikes powered by internal combustion engines, that they are not an extension of the evolution of motorcycles, and that they are uncomfortable. In my column, I said that it would require a completely different direction to bring it all together, but the truth is that electric bikes don't have the same appeal as sports bikes.
So what can we do? The only way is to install a zero-emission internal combustion engine.
We had heard that several research institutes and manufacturers had begun to develop hydrogen engines, but Mazda and BMW had already started but given up. After all, is electrification the only way forward? As I watched the MotoGP broadcasts, I imagined that the machines would be electric, but I hesitated, thinking that it was impossible.
This year, however, news came in that Toyota was developing a hydrogen engine and would be participating in races. I felt like a ray of sunshine when I heard this.
▲Toyota's hydrogen engine vehicle at the "SUZUKA S-Tai".
There are many issues with hydrogen engines, but I've come to believe that practical application is possible.
Since then I have been looking through information on hydrogen engines.
With hydrogen, the combustion rate is seven to eight times faster than with gasoline, so it reaches high temperatures and high pressures all at once. As a result, the nitrogen and oxygen in the air react to produce NOx. However, we can expect that this can be countered to a large extent by optimizing the fuel injection system, ignition system, and combustion chamber area.
Output, fuel efficiency, and the availability of hydrogen as fuel are also issues. The power output that can be generated depends on how much energy the fuel has. In its gaseous state, hydrogen generates about one-third the heat of gasoline, but in terms of weight it is nearly three times as much. Even in an ideal mixture, it can reach 84% of its weight, so it should not be a problem for power output.
However, there is the problem of hydrogen's onboard use. Even if the amount of heat generated per unit of weight is large, the volume of hydrogen in its gaseous state is also large. In fact, Toyota's hydrogen-powered racing car, which is equipped with a high-pressure hydrogen tank, also has a tank in the back seat. This makes it difficult for motorcycles because of space limitations, so it is necessary to liquefy the hydrogen and mount it.
The generation of this liquid hydrogen seems to be a major issue, along with how to extract it. In order to liquefy it, it has to be cooled down to minus 253 degrees Celsius, which is close to absolute zero, and if electricity is used for this, it will be useless. Of course, it seems that research for this purpose is underway.
▲This is an image of the direct injection engine being researched for the hydrogen engine announced by Kawasaki Motors on October 6. The image at the top is the actual product.
We'll have to do it on All Nippon.
I was thinking of writing a column about these possibilities and the current situation, but he beat me to it.
On November 13, five companies - Kawasaki, Subaru, Toyota, Mazda and Yamaha - jointly announced the challenge of expanding fuel options for internal combustion engines in order to achieve carbon neutrality.
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You're not going to be able to do that.Kawasaki, Subaru, Toyota, Mazda and Yamaha Take on the Challenge of Expanding Options for Making, Delivering and Using Fuel to Achieve Carbon Neutrality
In particular, Kawasaki and Yamaha have begun studying the possibility of joint research into the development of hydrogen engines, and Honda and Suzuki will join them in exploring the possibility of achieving carbon neutrality through the use of internal combustion engines in motorcycles. In order to separate cooperation from competition, the statement that the framework for cooperative areas and collaborative research will be clearly defined and promoted reminds us of the activities that have broken down the barriers between manufacturers to date.
There was no mention of liquid hydrogen in this release, but this should also be a pending issue. I believe that these efforts are based on the recognition that hydrogen engines hold the key to the survival of motorcycles. For this to happen, it will not be possible for one company alone, but it will be necessary for all Nippon to work together. In other words, the future of motorcycles may not be possible unless all Nippon companies work together.
▲This is a shot of the November 13th press conference. Yamaha President Hidaka sitting in the center was impressive. President Hashimoto of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, which is involved in hydrogen engines and fuel, is also at the press conference.
