Construction machinery manufacturer JCB has unveiled a mobile refueller capable of refuelling its hydrogen-powered machines.
JCB has invested £100m in hydrogen engines and has already showcased working prototypes of a backhoe loader and a Loadall telescopic handler powered by the technology.
A team of 100 engineers is working on the project. The hydrogen-powered backhoe loader was unveiled first, followed by the Loadall. The company went on to showcase the technology in the Green Zone at COP26 in Glasgow. JCB has manufactured engines since 2004, producing them at plants in Derbyshire and in Delhi, India.
JCB Chairman Lord Bamford, who is leading the company’s hydrogen project, said: “Since we became the first construction equipment company to unveil machines powered by hydrogen, many have asked how they can be refuelled.
“Well today we have an answer with our new mobile hydrogen refuelling system, which allows hydrogen to be taken from onsite tube trailers and distributed to machines by our refueller as they work on the job site. This is no different to today when diesel is taken in bowsers to refuel machines.
“Fossil fuels are not the future and hydrogen is the practical solution to powering our machines in the decades to come. Our British engineers are doing a fantastic job in developing this technology and there are many more exciting developments to come.”
