Hydrogen-powered Buggy Finishes Fourth in Dakar 2024 Class, Paving the Way for HySE's Future Vision (Part 1)
In the heart of the Arabian desert, a hydrogen-powered buggy named HySE-X1 roared to life, marking a significant milestone in the pursuit of sustainable mobility. The vehicle, developed by a coalition of six Japanese companies, including Suzuki, Honda, and Yamaha Motor, participated in the grueling Dakar Rally 2024.
The Dakar Rally, known as the toughest motor race in the world, covers approximately 100 kilometers a day for ten days, totaling 1000 kilometers overall. Despite the harsh conditions and varying terrain, HySE-X1 finished fourth in its class, demonstrating the potential of hydrogen-powered engines in extreme conditions.
The HySE project, a technical research association, was formed in September 2021 with the goal of creating a hydrogen-powered buggy prototype based on a 998cc inline four-cylinder supercharged motorcycle engine. The coalition's aim was to preserve Japan's leading internal combustion engine technology by using hydrogen as a fuel without generating CO2.
By entering the Dakar Rally, HySE used the event as a real-world testing ground to address key technical challenges. Engine performance at high RPMs, fuel efficiency, and hydrogen tank capacity were all put to the test, providing valuable data and experience to advance hydrogen engine technology.
HySE's participation in the rally was met with enthusiasm from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), which supported the Dakar 2024 challenge. NEDO saw the project as an ideal way to increase public awareness of hydrogen as an energy source.
For the directors of the participating companies, the rally was more than just a race. It was a platform to showcase hydrogen-powered mobility as a feasible alternative to conventional and electric vehicles, promoting carbon-neutral transportation solutions. Chairman Kenji Komatsu of Yamaha Motor, for instance, aimed to help the world know more about the possibilities of hydrogen-powered engines and build partnerships.
In the aftermath of the rally, HySE received a warm response, with offers and inquiries from other teams. The association, founded in May 2023 with the goal of establishing the basic technology for hydrogen-powered motorcycles and small mobilities, is already looking towards the future.
Vice Chairman Yoshimoto Matsuda believes that setting an unreasonable goal can help guide research and development and make it more agile. Joining the Dakar Rally was a good idea for HySE, according to Matsuda, as it pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible with hydrogen-powered engines.
The technology developed through HySE’s project is expected to inform future racing vehicles such as Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Dakar program. As the world continues to seek sustainable solutions for mobility, HySE's pioneering efforts in the Dakar Rally are a step towards a carbon-neutral future.
[1] Source: HySE press release, March 2023 [5] Source: Toyota Gazoo Racing press release, April 2024
- The HySE project, which received support from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), used the Dakar Rally as a testing ground to advance hydrogen engine technology, both for its hydrogen-powered buggy and potential future racing vehicles like Toyota Gazoo Racing's Dakar program.
- Sports events like the Dakar Rally, known for their extreme conditions and varying terrains, serve as platforms for showcasing innovative technologies such as hydrogen-powered engines, as demonstrated by the successful participation of HySE-X1 in the rally.
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