JCB Achieves Landmark Milestone with Approval of First Hydrogen Combustion Engine by 11 European Licensing Authorities
Key Ideas
- JCB has successfully developed the world's first hydrogen combustion engine, with certification from 11 European licensing authorities for commercial use in machines.
- The approval of JCB's hydrogen engine by European authorities marks a significant achievement in the advancement of zero-emission technology for construction and agricultural equipment.
- JCB's team of 150 engineers has been dedicated to the £100 million hydrogen engine project for over three years, leading to the successful certification across multiple European countries.
- Real-world testing of JCB's hydrogen-powered machinery, including backhoe loaders and telescopic handlers, is currently underway and showing promising results.
JCB has reached a historic milestone in the development of hydrogen technology by obtaining certification from 11 European licensing authorities for their groundbreaking hydrogen combustion engine. This achievement comes after years of dedicated work by a team of 150 engineers on a £100 million project. The approval from these authorities allows JCB to commercially sell its hydrogen engine for use in construction and agricultural equipment. The certification process began with the Netherlands' Vehicle Authority RDW, followed by approvals from countries like Great Britain, Germany, and France, among others. Real-world testing of over 130 evaluation engines is already in progress, powering various machinery like backhoe loaders and telescopic handlers, indicating a promising future for hydrogen technology in the industry. JCB's chairman, Anthony Bamford, expressed great pride in the team's accomplishments and highlighted the importance of this milestone for the future of hydrogen combustion technology in Europe.