Hydrogen-Powered Buggy Finishes Fourth in its Class at Dakar 2024: An Exclusive Look Behind the Scenes (Continuation)
HySE-X1 Hydrogen-Powered Vehicle Demonstrates Potential at Dakar Rally 2024
The HySE-X1, a hydrogen-powered vehicle developed by the HySE Technical Research Association, showcased its capabilities during the gruelling Dakar Rally 2024. This buggy-type vehicle, designed specifically for hydrogen propulsion, demonstrated the potential of hydrogen technology in competitive motorsport settings.
The project, which began in August 2023, was a collaborative effort between six companies: Kawasaki Motors, Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha Motor, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Toyota. Daichi Kai of Suzuki and Tomohiro Nakano of Toyota led the engine configuration and control program development teams respectively.
However, the project faced several challenges. Parts procurement was a significant issue due to the short development period, and the HySE-X1 vehicle was reunited in Belgium for assembly, but faced issues with the delivery of hydrogen tanks, electrical systems, and other parts.
The engine for the HySE-X1 was based on Kawasaki's 998cc inline four-cylinder supercharged motorcycle engine. Hiroshi Nishiyama of Suzuki was responsible for configuring the engine at Yamaha Motor's test benches.
Toyota's head office developed the sensors and computer program controls for the HySE-X1. Interestingly, Toyota had never before hosted another company's engineers, which caused some difficulties during development. However, Nakano's group had to borrow parts from other teams within Toyota for the development of the HySE-X1.
The vehicle chassis was entrusted to Overdrive Racing, a partner company in Belgium. The HySE-X1 underwent a series of troubles at Dakar 2024, including getting stuck in sand, running out of fuel, and experiencing issues with hydrogen refueling. Despite these setbacks, the vehicle safely crossed the final finish line of Dakar 2024, having covered 830 km, or 90% of the rally.
The HySE-X1 underwent a test run in Portugal in November 2023. During testing, the chain that transfers driving force from the engine to the CVT kept breaking, limiting the team's run to less than 3 km in total. However, the team learned valuable lessons from Dakar 2024, such as the need to adjust hydrogen injection for higher altitudes and improve combustion efficiency.
The collaboration between the companies went more smoothly than Nakano expected. HySE received positive feedback and interest from other teams and rally organizers, indicating a growing circle of like-minded partners. As of mid-2025, there is no public information indicating the completion of its development or final status for Dakar 2025. The last known update highlights the vehicle's successful testing in Dakar 2024, but specific progress or upgrades towards Dakar 2025 have not been detailed in available sources.
- The collaboration in the automotive industry between Kawasaki Motors, Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha Motor, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Toyota underscored the potential of finance and technology in the development of hydrogen-powered transportation, as demonstrated by the HySE-X1 at the Dakar Rally 2024.
- Despite the challenges faced during the development of the HySE-X1, such as parts procurement issues and troubles at Dakar 2024, the project garnered interest from other teams and rally organizers in the sports and racing world, hinting at a promising future for hydrogen technology in competitive motorsport settings.
- The HySE-X1, a testament to the fusion of automotive, technology, and finance industries, is currently undergoing improvements, with its last known update highlighting successful testing at Dakar 2024, but specific progress or upgrades towards Dakar 2025 have yet to be announced in public sources.
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