- Showcased at the Suzuki 8 Hours endurance race 2024
- Powered by a 998cc, inline-four-cylinder, supercharged motor
- Uses hydrogen as fuel instead of fossil fuels like petrol
At the Suzuki 8 Hours endurance motorcycle race, Kawasaki showcased the Ninja H2 SX-based ICE hydrogen motorcycle. This is the world’s first public demonstration of a hydrogen ICE motorcycle by a mass-market motorcycle manufacturer.
The prototype model, which Kawasaki calls the ‘Hydrogen ICE Motorcycle’, is powered by a hydrogen engine based on Kawasaki’s 998cc, inline-four-cylinder, supercharged motor that powers the Ninja H2 SX. But, instead of fossil fuels, this engine uses hydrogen for combustion.
Significant changes have been made to the engine to allow direct injection of hydrogen into the cylinders. Unlike the harmful gases that normal ICE engines emit, the main byproduct of the hydrogen ICR engine is water, which is emitted in the form of moist air from the exhaust canisters.
Kawasaki says the chassis has been designed to incorporate the hydrogen tanks and the fuel supply system on-board. The company also claims hydrogen burns much faster across a wider temperature range and delivers a more responsive feel. Although the specifications aren’t out yet, the supercharged engine makes 210bhp and 137Nm on the Ninja H2 SX.
Kawasaki plans to introduce hydrogen ICE motorcycles by the early 2030s as a sustainable transportation solution. The hydrogen mobility initiative is a part of Hydrogen Small Mobility & Engine Technology (HySE), a joint venture between Japanese manufacturers such as Kawasaki, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Toyota.
