JCB chairman Anthony Bamford has hailed the Government decision allowing hydrogen fuelled construction and agricultural machinery to use the public highway.
Calling the decision by Lilian Greenwood MP, Minister for the Future of Roads “historic”, Lord Bamford’s reaction came as a hydrogen powered JCB digger was driven around London’s roads to mark the momentous announcement.
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said: “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 said: “The JCB team has done amazing work to develop a hydrogen combustion engine. 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.”
JCB has invested more than £100 million to produce a range of super-efficient zero-emission hydrogen engines. This pioneering project at JCB’s engine plant in Derbyshire has been personally driven by JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford, who challenged the company’s engineers to make a major breakthrough in the use of hydrogen as a fuel in a combustion engine.
JCB has been operating prototype hydrogen-powered Loadall telescopic handlers, backhoe loaders and generators on sites near Birmingham and is now testing a range of equipment in partnership with rental companies and leading contractors across the UK.
