We have been aware of Yamaha's interest in experimenting with hydrogen as an alternative fuel for several years. In January 2022, Team Blue announced its collaboration with Kawasaki on hydrogen engine development. A month later, they revealed plans to work on a 5-liter V8 hydrogen engine with Toyota.
By July 2023, Yamaha's president, Yoshihiro Hidaka, reaffirmed the company's commitment to exploring hydrogen development as a viable alternative fuel source. Additionally, Yamaha, along with Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Toyota, played a part in building the HySE experimental rally vehicle for the 2024 Dakar Rally.
Fast forward to January 25, 2024, and Yamaha has officially unveiled its first-ever hydrogen-powered concept vehicle. The Drive H2 concept was showcased at the 2024 Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) Show in Florida. It utilizes two high-pressure hydrogen tanks, each capable of holding 25 liters of fuel. One tank is located at the rear of the vehicle, while the other is positioned under the driver's seat. The concept is based on the existing Drive2 Concierge 4 personal golf car sold by Yamaha Golf-Car Company, a subsidiary of Yamaha Motor Corporation.
However, the development of hydrogen vehicles in any sector relies on the availability of supporting infrastructure. This is a challenge that electric vehicle enthusiasts have also faced in recent years.
While Yamaha has expressed interest in exploring hydrogen power for more than just low-speed golf cars, Kawasaki and Suzuki are currently the only companies to have introduced hydrogen-powered two-wheeled concepts. It is important to note that it is still early in the year, and a lot can change in a short period of time. As more information about future vehicle developments becomes available, we will keep you updated.
