KAWASAKI "Hybrid Heavy Duty" debuts in Japan! 10 models expected to be launched by 2025

On October 6th, Kawasaki Motor Indonesia held a business plan presentation in Tokyo. In addition to announcing its future management plan, the company also presented its electric motorbikes currently under development.   One of the bikes was the first research bike for a hybrid sport model to be presented to the public, while the others were presented at the 2019 Milan International Motor Show but were also presented for the first time in Japan.

Kawasaki Motors president Hiroshi Ito has announced that he will launch 10 different models of electric motorbikes by 2025, and that by 2035 all major models sold in developed countries (including Japan) will be electric motorbikes. The biggest bargaining chip in this approach is the hybrid vehicle, which has the advantage of being able to build on existing models.

Gasoline engines for the highway, electric motors for the city streets and hybrid vehicles for the mountain roads.

The trend towards motorbike electrification is far from catching up with that of automobiles, especially as the only hybrid motorbike on the market that uses an internal combustion engine and an electric motor as its power source is HONDA's PCX e:HEV, which is also a Mild hybrid model that cannot be moved even with an electric motor.

The HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) Research Vehicle announced by KAWASAKI at the presentation this time has been described by President Hiroshi Ito as a Strong Hybrid, a power unit that can switch between three modes: petrol engine, electric motor and engine+motor. If it does become commercially available, it will be the first motorcycle to achieve this feat.

According to KAWASAKI's design concept, the unit will be powered by a 'petrol engine' on highways where power is needed, an 'electric motor' on urban streets where petrol engines are limited, and an engine and motor combination when the scene changes to a rugged road in the countryside.

The displacement of the research vehicle has not been disclosed, but the dimensions suggest a displacement of around 250-650 c.c. The frame is a proprietary design, and the PCX HYBRID's motor is only auxiliary when activated, so it cannot be switched as shown in the pictures. With the electric motor as the power source on the street, the fuel consumption should become better.

Put the motor on the back of the engine! Enjoy gear shifting and automatic gear shifting

KAWASAKI's HEV research vehicle is scheduled to be released to the market. Although it is only a research vehicle and will not be a complete model like the Ninja series, it is a good indication of the future direction of KAWASAKI's hybrid vehicles.

As KAWASAKI is currently treating the hybrid as a fun bike, it will not change the structure of the bike, but will remain within the confines of the existing model, with a lithium-ion battery (as it should be) and the same gearbox as the petrol-engined model.

The most unusual feature of this research vehicle is probably its automatic gearshift, with an electric device that automatically operates the foot pedal and clutch. Although the device is only part of the research and it is not yet confirmed that it will be installed in a commercially available car, if the research goes well, it will be able to shift gears automatically like HONDA's dual clutch transmission (DCT).