LIEBHERR has unveiled the world’s first large wheel loader with a hydrogen engine at an event at the manufacturer’s plant in Bischofshofen, Austria.
Representatives from the world of politics and business attended the event, which included a series of talks on the topic of alternative drives. The focus was on Liebherr’s machine show, where the hydrogen loader was demonstrated for the first time in practical use.
At the same time, the first hydrogen filling station in the state of Salzburg was inaugurated, described as representing an important milestone in the use of hydrogen as a sustainable energy source.
Dr.-Ing. Herbert Pfab, chief technical officer of Liebherr Bischofshofen, said, “To make progress in hydrogen research, we need to have access to hydrogen. We built this filling station to further advance our goals for decarbonising construction machinery.”
The L 566 H from Liebherr is said to be the world’s first prototype large wheel loader with a hydrogen engine.
For smaller machines, battery-electric solutions are often suitable. However, the situation is different for larger machines with high energy requirements. Liebherr explained that hydrogen reciprocating piston engines are ‘ideal’ in this case.
These hydrogen engines are manufactured at the engine plant of Liebherr’s components product segment in Bulle, Switzerland. They enable zero emissions of greenhouse gases and almost no nitrogen oxides. Another advantage is that the interfaces are said to be comparable to those of a diesel engine – both thermally and mechanically.
Another highlight of the show was a MAN truck, also with a hydrogen engine.
As part of the development of the hydrogen wheel loader, Liebherr Bischofshofen opened its own hydrogen filling station. A strategic partner in this project is Maximator Hydrogen, the manufacturer of the filling station and also a research partner of Liebherr. Together, they are working on mobile filling facilities so machinery can be refuelled directly on construction sites. Another partner is MPREIS, which ensures the supply of green hydrogen.
