Lilian Greenwood, Minister for the Future of Roads, has signed a statutory instrument allowing the use of hydrogen-fuelled construction and agricultural machinery on public roads.
Anthony Bamford, chairman of JCB, which has invested £100 million to create a hydrogen combustion engine, hailed the news as historic. To mark the announcement, a hydrogen-powered JCB digger was driven around London’s roads.
Lilian Greenwood said: “Today shows once again we are on the side of British business, as we now allow hydrogen-powered diggers and tractors to be legally driven on UK roads for the first time. We’re supporting the UK’s Plan for Change by working closely with brilliant British companies like JCB to harness the opportunities of the net zero transition, driving innovation and creating jobs to put money in the pockets of hardworking people and secure our future.”
Lord Bamford added: “The JCB team has done amazing work to develop a hydrogen combustion engine. It has already been given resounding backing from our customers who have been evaluating the technology; they say it is simple to use and performs as well as diesel counterparts.
“We are delighted that the Government has now endorsed the use of hydrogen in machinery. There has been a lot of work to get to this point. It is truly a historic day for JCB and a milestone moment for the use of hydrogen as a zero-carbon fuel in the construction and agricultural machinery industries. We now have the legislation that allows hydrogen powered machines to drive on the road between sites and between farms.”