JCB, developer of the world’s first working construction machines powered by hydrogen combustion engines, has unveiled another world first for the industry - a mobile hydrogen refueller.

The pioneering British company is investing £100 million (NZ$194 million) in a project to produce super-efficient hydrogen engines and has already showcased working prototypes of a backhoe loader and Loadall telescopic handler powered by hydrogen.

The mobile hydrogen refueller will provide a quick and easy way to refuel these machines on site. Around 97% of construction machines have fuel delivered to them while working on site. This means customers are already used to a transportable fuel, allowing refuelling to take place in a matter of minutes.

JCB Chairman Lord Bamford, who is leading JCB’s hydrogen project, says: “Since we became the first construction equipment company to unveil machines powered by hydrogen, many have asked how they can be refuelled.

“We have an answer with our new mobile hydrogen refuelling system, which allows hydrogen to be taken from on-site tube trailers and distributed to machines by our refueller as they work on the job site. This is no different to today when diesel is taken in bowsers to refuel machines.”

JCB has a team of 100 engineers is working on the hydrogen project. The first hydrogen powered machine to be unveiled was a JCB backhoe loader followed, a year ago, by a Loadall telescopic handler. The technology went on to be shown in the Green Zone at COP26 in Glasgow as world leaders debated measures to drastically reduce greenhouse emissions. 

Lord Bamford challenged JCB’s engineers to develop a hydrogen combustion engine in 2020 because he believes the technology offers the quickest way to reach UK emissions reduction targets. JCB is at the forefront of the drive to reach zero emissions by 2050 and has a number of prototype machines on test powered by hydrogen.

“Fossil fuels are not the future and hydrogen is the practical solution to powering our machines in the decades to come. Our British engineers are doing a fantastic job in developing this technology and there are many more exciting developments to come,” says Lord Bamford.