Carbon Neutrality on Water:
Honda Begins Begins Verification Test of Electric Propulsion Prototype in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture
The First Step in Realizing Honda Founder’s Belief
Honda’s “marine mobility” is the outboard motor. Honda has been selling outboard motors, which serve as propulsion and rudder for vessels, since 1964. Based on founder Soichiro Honda’s belief that ”watercraft should not pollute the water,” Honda entered the market, which was dominated by 2-stroke engines, by developing environmentally friendly 4-stroke models. Although environmentally friendly, Honda’s outboards struggled to gain a foothold in the market due to cost among other factors. However, Honda continued to develop and market 4-stroke outboard motors under the philosophy of the company’s founder.
Now, some 60 years after entering the outboard motor market, Honda has taken a new step forward.
Honda Electric Propulsion Prototype Begins Verification Tests
Honda is taking on a variety of challenges to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. This applies not only to motorcycles and automobiles, but also to marine mobility.
In August 2023, Honda’s new challenge was to start a verification test using an electric propulsion prototype.
This was the beginning of Honda’s carbon neutrality on water.
What is Honda’s electric propulsion prototype?
The electric propulsion prototype is a marine propulsion system that uses a small 4kw electric motor, which has been used in a series of electric motorcycles such as the Gyro e:, an electric three-wheeled scooter for business use.
Its power source is the Honda Mobile Power Pack e:, which has a proven track record in Honda motorcycles and other products. The vessel can be operated efficiently for long periods of time by replacing the battery.
The exterior of the outboard motor has a low overall height to improve rear visibility, and dedicated regenerative control for the propulsion system that quickly reverses the propeller, which is only possible with electric power, enabling the vessel to make tight turns, while low noise and vibration help reduce the burden of boarding.
Verification Test to be Conducted in Matsue City Which Aims for Decarbonization and Carbon-Neutral Tourism
The verification test was to take place on the “Gurutto Matsue Horikawa Meguri” (Horikawa Pleasure Boat) in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, which aims to become a carbon-neutral tourist destination by decarbonizing the city. The 3.7-km-long moat surrounding Matsue Castle, one of the five national treasures built around 400 years ago, is now a sightseeing attraction that takes passengers on a covered boat for an hour-long tour at about 5 km/h.
This pleasure boat has been powered by environmentally-friendly Honda BF9.9 4-stroke outboard motor since the beginning in 1997.
The Horikawa Pleasure Boat was selected as the site for the verification test because of the similarity between Matsue City’s commitment to carbon neutral tourism as a leading decarbonization region selected by the Ministry of the Environment, and Honda’s commitment to the environment. Another deciding factor was that the size of the Horikawa sightseeing boat, the output of the engine currently in use, and the way the boat would be operated matched Honda’s specifications for an electric propulsion system.
Honda’s Electric Propulsion Concept Model Grabbed the Matsue Mayor’s Heart
After receiving information from an employee who saw an article on the electric propulsion concept model that Honda published in November 2021, Matsue City Mayor Akihito Uesada instructed the employee to contact Honda, and subsequent discussions led to the current verification test.
At a media briefing held prior to the verification test, Mayor Uesada emphasized that “the Horikawa Pleasure Boat, which attracts tourists to Matsue Castle every season, with its kotatsu boats in winter and wind-bell boats in summer, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Matsue City, and has already attracted over 7.3 million passengers since its operation began. It is a great honor to be able to conduct the world’s only verification test of a pr
Verification Test Progress: Sightseeing Boat Powered by Electric Propulsion Prototype Impresses
The The Matsue Tourism Information Office, which operates the Horikawa Pleasure Boat, handled the verification test. As of September 25, 2023, two months had passed since the test began. Until this point, the test was conducted with mainly involved parties, but their evaluation has been positive. Many of the boat drivers on the Horikawa boats are elderly, but the electric propulsion system has greatly reduced their physical burden thanks to its low vibration.
In addition, the boat driver’s voice can be heard clearly, because there is no engine noise to reverberate as the boat passes under bridges.
Some people who rode for the test said that they were soothed by the sound of the water and birdsong, which they had not noticed before.
The Matsue Tourism Information Office is currently in the final stages of preparing for public participation in the verification test, but before that, Honda is planning to hold an event on October 22 and 29 for Matsue residents to compare engine-powered rides with electric propulsion rides. Honda will post reports on further tests, including this hands-on event, on the Honda Marine website.