Yamaha has shown the first hydrogen outboard prototype for recreational boats at Miami International Boat Show.
The motor manufacturer teamed up with Roush to develop the propulsion system.
The companies now plan to further refine the prototype and make it ready for testing later in 2024 to be carried out.
Testing will be carried out in collaboration with boat builder partner Regulator Marine using a boat featuring a hull based on the boatbuilder’s 26XO craft, modified to accommodate the hydrogen tanks needed to power the hydrogen outboard.
The hydrogen outboard, a project first introduced by Yamaha in December 2023, is part of Yamaha’s strategy to achieve carbon neutrality, by deploying a variety of technology solutions.
“Yamaha is exploring all possibilities to achieve carbon neutrality, and we’ve made commitments for our operations to be carbon neutral by 2035 and our products to become carbon neutral by 2050,” said Ben Speciale, president, Yamaha US marine business unit.
“That goal within the marine market can only be reached through an approach that leverages multiple solutions. We believe hydrogen is a viable method of achieving these goals.”
Yamaha has also been working on other ways to achieve its carbon neutrality goal via multiple technology approaches.
The company has set a companywide environmental goal to achieve carbon neutrality in emissions produced from its use of sold by 2050.
Yamaha will continue promoting the research and development of technologies that contribute to sustainability.
Ben added: “Yamaha wants to be a leader in this space, and we encourage others in the marine industry to become involved as we look for ways to build infrastructure and new policy around innovations.”
