Yamaha is going all in on carbon neutrality. The motorcycle manufacturer has shared its intentions to reduce its emissions by 86% by 2050, and it is implementing several measures in order to achieve this.
During its recent 70th anniversary celebration, Yamaha hosted a series of discussions, a few of which touched on these sustainability efforts. One of the technologies that Yamaha has highlighted in the last decade is hydrogen propulsion, and it reiterated that during those lectures.
ALSO READ:
Touring the Yamaha CN1: The first carbon-neutral paint line in the motorcycle industry
Looking back on 70 years of Yamaha’s design evolution
These hydrogen engines have zero carbon emissions and do not lose out on the feel of a traditional internal combustion engine, unlike a fully electric powertrain. Over the past few years, Yamaha showcased several hydrogen-powered products, including a generator, a scooter, a recreational off-road vehicle (ROV), a golf cart, and an outboard motor. The technology still faces hurdles, as manufacturers have to inhibit abnormal combustions and nitrogen oxide emissions from these hydrogen engines. The nature of combustion, which produces water, can also result in rust and oil emulsification.
Yamaha continues to work on these technologies, however, and it has shown progress in addressing these challenges. An example is the Lexus ROV Concept, where Yamaha was the one that supplied the base vehicle and developed the hydrogen engine for Lexus. The automaker, with its know-how on hydrogen propulsion systems, helped test and fine-tune the hydrogen-powered system. Through this, the two Japanese manufacturers were able to improve the performance of the hydrogen system and somehow address the issues relating to abnormal combustion and nitrogen oxide emissions. They were also able to reduce the concentration of hydrogen in the exhaust to below 4%.
That ROV remains a concept, and these hydrogen-powered vehicles you see here won’t be hitting the market anytime soon, but it’s good to know that a brand as big as Yamaha is committed to developing the technology further as it works toward a more sustainable future.
