JCB showcases new hydrogen machine to Chancellor Rachel Reeves
JCB has briefed UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves on the company’s £100 million hydrogen engine programme, during a visit to its Rocester HQ at the end of last week.
Reeves, who previously toured JCB’s Foston engine plant in 2022 while in opposition, was shown the latest progress in both hydrogen combustion engines and mobile refuelling technology, including a demonstration of a pre-production hydrogen backhoe loader being topped up using JCB’s towable HyKit hydrogen bowser.
Vital role in decarbonising construction
“It was fantastic to see JCB’s zero emission machinery yesterday in Staffordshire,” said the Chancellor. “JCB are making quick progress in ensuring hydrogen plays a vital role in decarbonising the construction industry.”
The visit comes just months after JCB’s hydrogen engine secured full EU type-approval for use in non-road mobile machinery – making it legal for sale and operation across all 27 EU member states and other territories recognising EU regulations.
UK type-approval has also been confirmed, meaning JCB can now deploy its hydrogen engines in real-world use across both GB and European markets.
More than 100 engineers are currently working on hydrogen engine development at JCB Power Systems in Foston, Derbyshire.
The firm’s hydrogen engines have already been fitted into prototype versions of several construction machines including a backhoe loader and telehandler, with fuelling handled by JCB’s own mobile bowser – designed to support off-grid refuelling on construction and infrastructure sites.
Investment needed in green hydrogen
“What’s needed now is more investment in green hydrogen production so that JCB’s hydrogen-powered equipment can be brought to market quickly and at scale,” said JCB Chairman Lord Bamford.
JCB is aiming to bring its hydrogen combustion machines to customers as soon as hydrogen supply becomes commercially viable on-site.
Its mobile HyKit refuelling solution is designed to mirror the convenience of diesel bowsers already widely used across the construction sector.
