JCB Makes Breakthrough with Hydrogen Combustion Engine Certification Across Europe
Key Ideas
  • JCB becomes the first construction equipment company to develop a fully working hydrogen combustion engine after a £100m development programme.
  • Type approvals from 11 licensing authorities across 10 European countries obtained, allowing commercial use of hydrogen engines in machinery.
  • JCB chairman Anthony Bamford expresses optimism for hydrogen combustion technology's future, praising the efforts of the British engineering team.
  • Over 130 evaluation engines already produced and in use, undergoing successful real-world testing on various equipment like backhoe loaders.
JCB has made a significant breakthrough in the field of construction equipment by developing a fully functional combustion engine powered by hydrogen. With a substantial investment of £100 million, the company's team of 150 staff worked tirelessly for over three years to achieve this milestone. The hydrogen engine has now received type approvals from 11 licensing authorities in 10 European countries, marking a crucial step towards commercialization. JCB's chairman, Anthony Bamford, lauded the certification as a positive sign for the future of hydrogen combustion technology, emphasizing its role in providing zero emissions solutions for the construction and agricultural sectors. The Dutch vehicle authority RDW was the first to officially certify the engine, opening doors for sales in the Netherlands, followed by approvals from other European countries. Real-world testing of JCB's hydrogen-powered equipment, including backhoe loaders and telehandlers, is showing promising results. The company's innovation in this area is a testament to the dedication and expertise of its British engineering team, who have played a pivotal role in bringing this project to fruition.
ADVANCEH2

Our vision is to be the world's leading online platform for advancing the use of hydrogen as a critical piece needed to deliver net-zero initiatives and the promise of a clean H2 energy future.

© 2025 AdvanceH2, LLC. All rights reserved.