JCB’s hydrogen telehandler proves itself on site with BAM Construction
BAM Construction has been putting JCB’s hydrogen-powered telehandler to work on a live construction site, testing how the machine stacks up against its diesel counterpart in real-world conditions.
The verdict: BAM says, it does the job just as well as diesel – just without any of the emissions.
The JCB 540-180H telehandler (or Loadall, to quote its official name) has been working at the Tea Factory regeneration project in Digbeth, Birmingham, with BAM keen to see how it performs in real-world conditions.
Colin Evison, BAM’s Innovation Technical Lead said: “We’ve noticed no difference in the way the machine operates. We have to refuel the machine in a different way, but it’s a simple and straightforward process.”
Refuelling is being handled by one of JCB’s hydrogen refuelling trailers, which connects directly to the Loadall and fills the tank at the push of a button with no mess, no spilt diesel, and no frantic search for a jerry can.
A pragmatic approach to reducing emissions
According to BAM, the hydrogen fuel fits neatly into its Scope 3 emissions reduction strategy, which focuses on cutting emissions in its supply chain.
The company is aiming to halve these emissions by 2030, and construction equipment plays a key role in achieving that.
“The road to net zero will introduce lots of different things to our industry, and hydrogen is an important part of that solution,” said Maggie Hall, BAM’s Environmental Sustainability Manager.
JCB, meanwhile, has racked up over 50,000 testing hours developing its hydrogen combustion engine, and now it’s proving its capability in the field.
“We are proving with our customers that this really can work, that hydrogen can be the future for construction and agricultural equipment – the mobile fuel of the future, and one that is carbon-free, producing nothing but clean steam,” said Tim Burnhope, JCB Group Director of Special Projects.
A sign of things to come?
The trial highlights a key factor in hydrogen adoption: if refuelling is simple and machine performance is unchanged, switching from diesel becomes a far easier decision.
Construction firms aren’t interested in technology for its own sake – if it works, fits into existing workflows, and meets emissions goals, it’s a viable option.
JCB’s hydrogen engine is making its case. Whether it sees wider adoption will depend on infrastructure and fuel availability, but in Birmingham at least, it’s getting on with the job.
