THE UK Government has approved the use of the world’s first digger powered by a hydrogen combustion engine on UK roads.
Special dispensation, under a vehicle special order, has been granted to allow JCB to test and use its hydrogen-powered backhoe loader on UK roads.
The vehicle special order allows the manufacturer to test its new hydrogen-powered machine on the public highway.
JCB has already created 150 new jobs in the Midlands with the promise of hundreds more as the company’s hydrogen project advances.
UK Government 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.”
JCB chairman Lord Bamford added, “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.
“I am delighted that the decarbonisation minister will witness for himself the first drive of a hydrogen-powered digger on the open road. It’s clear to me that, following this visit, he’ll appreciate the potential for hydrogen internal combustion engines to help deliver net zero targets more quickly, while adding jobs and contributing wider economic benefits to the construction sector.”
Jesse Norman visited JCB’s HQ in Rocester, Staffordshire, to see the digger take to the road near the factory where it was manufactured and also inspect one of JCB’s hydrogen combustion engines, which are the product of a £100 million investment project by the company.
