JCB's Historic Breakthrough: Hydrogen-Powered Diggers Hit UK Roads
Key Ideas
  • JCB celebrates a historic breakthrough as hydrogen-powered diggers are officially permitted on UK roads for the first time, marking a significant milestone in British engineering and green technology.
  • The legislative change, allowing hydrogen-fuelled construction and agricultural machinery to operate on public highways, is a game-changer for the industry and follows JCB's substantial investment in hydrogen combustion engines.
  • Lord Bamford praises the dedication of the JCB team, highlighting the simplicity and performance of the hydrogen combustion engine, while the UK government's endorsement of hydrogen use in machinery is viewed as a monumental moment for the sector.
  • JCB's pioneering project at its Derbyshire plant showcases hydrogen-powered heavy machinery like backhoe loaders and telescopic handlers, demonstrating the practicality and power of hydrogen combustion engines in construction and agriculture, where battery solutions have faced challenges.
In a significant development for British engineering and green technology, JCB has achieved a historic breakthrough with hydrogen-powered diggers now allowed on UK roads. The amendment to the Road Vehicles Regulations permits hydrogen-fuelled construction and agricultural machinery to operate on public highways, a move hailed as a game-changer for the industry. JCB's substantial investment in hydrogen combustion engines has led to this milestone, with Lord Bamford praising the dedication of the team and the government's endorsement of hydrogen use in machinery. The legislative change, signed by Lilian Greenwood, allows non-road mobile machinery like diggers and tractors to travel legally between construction sites and farms. JCB's project, based in Derbyshire, is conducting field trials in partnership with rental companies and contractors, showcasing the power and practicality of hydrogen-powered heavy machinery in construction and agriculture. The achievement has received praise from political figures like Lord Hannan, highlighting the advancement in hydrogen technology and its contribution to a greener industrial future in the UK.
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