Kawasaki Demos Hydrogen Motorcycle Engine

Kawasaki has gone down in motorcycle history in a unique manner. The Japanese moto company recently held the world’s first public demonstration of a hydrogen-powered motorcycle engine.

Kawasaki’s push for eco-friendly motorcycling is not a new endeavor. Earlier this year, it launched the Ninja 7, the first hybrid production motorcycle in the world, and even the hydrogen engine was first revealed in late 2022.

However, on July 20, 2024, the Kawasaki Ninja H2 took to the track at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan. The motorcycle is powered by 998cc in-line four hydrogen internal combustion engine (HICE).

Unlike silent electric bikes, HICE-powered motorcycles burn fuel and produce the familiar rumble of a combustion engine. The fuel, however, is not gasoline but hydrogen, which produces only water and a small amount of CO2 as exhaust emissions.

That said, the Ninja H2 is quite obviously not a regular motorcycle. Where you’d usually find panniers are instead two large tanks that are part of the hydrogen fuel supply system.

Frankly, seeing the bike from behind, nobody could blame you if you thought the hydrogen tanks were some sort of rocket engine. 

Although Ninja H2 has now taken to the street under public eyes, it’s nowhere near ready for production. Kawasaki said the hydrogen engine is still undergoing basic research and development.

The company hopes to have the first hydrogen production motorcycle by the early 2030s. Ultimately, however, the finished bike’s release date will depend on regulations and the availability of hydrogen fuel infrastructure.

After all, the hydrogen motorcycle won’t go anywhere if you can’t feed the engine.

Kawasaki is a member of HySE, a global organization aiming to develop functional hydrogen-powered small vehicles, including motorcycles and automobiles.