What is thought to be the first solely hydrogen-powered digger will soon be on UK roads and building sites following recent government approval, the Department for Transport has announced.
The transport secretary has given special dispensation, under a vehicle special order that allows JCB to test and use its world-first hydrogen-powered backhoe loader on UK roads.
JCB’s hydrogen combustion engines are the product of a £100m investment project by an industrial giant, which has also created 150 new jobs in the Midlands under the company’s hydrogen project.
Technology and decarbonisation minister Jesse Norman said: 'From cars to construction sites, industry has a vital role in decarbonising our economy and creating green jobs and prosperity.
JCB’s investment in greener equipment is a great example of how industry can make this happen, using alternative fuels to generate sustainable economic growth.'
Around 25% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions come from the built environment with the construction sector described as ‘hard to decarbonise’ by the Government.
Hydrogen combustion machines are often seen as able to play a vital role in reducing carbon emissions in settings where other types of clean power may not be the most practical or efficient.
JCB chairman Lord Bamford said: 'Securing this vehicle special order from the Department for Transport is an important first step in getting JCB machines that are powered by hydrogen combustion engines to and from British building sites using the public highway. It’s an endorsement that JCB is on the right path in pursuit of its net zero ambitions.
'JCB’s hydrogen-powered backhoe loader is a world first in our industry, a digger with a purpose-engineered internal combustion engine that uses hydrogen gas as the energy source. It’s a real breakthrough – a zero CO2 fuel providing the power to drive the pistons in an internal combustion engine, a technology that’s been around for over 100 years, a technology that we are all familiar with.'
The Government also recently announced a second phase of the Tees Valley Hydrogen Hub, which will help address challenges such as providing refuelling infrastructure at scale and integrating that within a wider decarbonised energy network.
Ministers have committed to providing £300,000 towards the teaching of hydrogen skills as part of the Tees Valley Hydrogen Transport hub.
Plant and road maintenance provider Multevo has also had a dual-fuel multi-purpose maintenance vehicle, which uses diesel and hydrogen fuel, on the market since 2021, which 'replaces diesel by up to 40%'. It also now uses the kit with HVO and Hydrogen.
