JCB chairman urges industry to embrace ‘unique opportunity’ to shape net zero ambitions

Lord Bamford and the JCB hydrogen engine

JCB has urged industry leaders to support the UK Government’s call for evidence on how non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) might be powered in the future.

Evidence is being sought on how NRMM might decarbonise as part of wider net zero ambitions. As the clock ticks down to the March 26 submissions deadline, JCB chairman Lord Anthony Bamford called on industry to embrace a ‘unique opportunity’ to shape the future.

He said, “The call for evidence is a crucial milestone that should be taken very seriously by everyone who is affected, from trade associations to owners and users of non-road mobile machinery. This is a historic landmark for many industries, particularly the construction and agricultural sectors which JCB has supplied for nearly 80 years.

“It is vital everyone affected engages in this process to help determine which technologies are appropriate to achieve a net zero future. In JCB’s case, we will highlighting the important role that hydrogen will play alongside electric technology for smaller products.”

The call for evidence is being led by the department for energy security and net zero, the department for environment food and rural affairs and the department for transport. It focuses on the potential ways of decarbonising at least 58 NRMM products covering construction and agricultural equipment, and also machinery used in warehousing, logistics, mines and quarries.