Following the news that hydrogen-powered construction and agriculture equipment would be allowed on UK roads, JCB has passed another milestone with its hydrogen combustion technology after securing the first full EU type-approval for its hydrogen engine in non-road mobile machinery.
This means that the engine is approved for sale and use in machines and third-party OEM equipment in the 27 member states, and all other territories recognising EU approval.
JCB chairman Anthony Bamford, said: “This is another very significant moment for JCB’s hydrogen programme, It was not so long ago that some said that it was ‘game over’ for the internal combustion engine in Europe. For JCB to have secured full EU type-approval is proof positive that the combustion engine does indeed have a promising future in pursuit of a net zero world if hydrogen, a zero CO2 fuel, is used instead of fossil fuels.”
He added: “I could not be more delighted for the JCB team that put so much work into getting us to this stage. Now our focus will be on bringing our hydrogen technology to market. JCB’s customers are patiently waiting for our hydrogen-powered equipment to make a difference on their job sites. They won’t have much longer to wait.”
The company has already produced more than 130 evaluation engines for its range of backhoes, telehandlers and generators. It states that real-world testing is at an advanced stage ahead of a full launch.