Kawasaki, Subaru, Toyota, Mazda, and Yamaha aim for carbon neutrality
The partners will go beyond electrification initiatives and provide greater choices for using internal combustion engines.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., Subaru Corporation, Toyota Motor Corporation, Mazda Motor Corporation, and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. will jointly achieve carbon neutrality through fuels initiatives.
The five parties will take three initiatives:
- Participate in races using carbon-neutral fuels
- Explore the use of hydrogen engines in two-wheeled and other vehicles
- Continue to race using hydrogen engines.
Taking on the challenge of racing, Mazda will use its next-generation biodiesel 1.5-liter Skyactiv-D engine in races. Subaru and Toyota will also use biomass-derived synthetic fuel in the Super Taikyu Series next year. Toyota and Yamaha Motor are also entering with a hydrogen-engine vehicle in the Super Taikyu Race in Okayama.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Yamaha Motor will explore the possibility of joint research for hydrogen engine development. Since 2010, Kawasaki has been focusing on hydrogen as a next-generation energy source. It plans to transport hydrogen using its in-house developed, purpose-built liquefied hydrogen carrier, the Suiso Frontier. Yamaha Motor is also developing hydrogen engine technology for possible use in its two-wheeled vehicles, ROV (four-wheeled recreational off-highway vehicle) series, and other products.
Both Kawasaki and Yamaha are contemplating joint development of a hydrogen engine for possible use in two-wheeled vehicles with Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and Suzuki Motor Corporation. The four partners will jointly explore the possibility of achieving carbon neutrality through using internal combustion engines in two-wheeled vehicles.
