JCB targets first hydrogen diggers by end of 2022

JCB is pulling out all the stops to offer the first generation of hydrogen-fuelled diggers for commercial sale by the end of next year.

The UK plant giant is investing £100m on its project to produce super-efficient hydrogen engines, it revealed yesterday.

A team of 100 engineers is already working on developing the new engines with the recruitment of up to 50 more engineers.

The wraps have already come off a prototype hydrogen powered JCB backhoe loader, and a Loadall telescopic handler was unveiled at a central London event attended by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said: “We are investing in hydrogen as we don’t see electric being the all-round solution, particularly not for our industry because it can only be used to power smaller machines.

“It does mean we will carry on making engines, but they will be super-efficient, affordable, high-tech hydrogen motors with zero CO2 emissions, which can be brought to market quickly using our existing supply base.

“These will be our industry’s first hydrogen engines, developed in Great Britain by British engineers. Hydrogen motors have the potential to help the UK reach CO2 emissions targets more quickly.”