JCB to invest £100 mn to make super-efficient hydrogen engines

Digger maker JCB is funding £100 million on a project to generate super-efficient hydrogen engines.

The manufacturer – which has facilities in Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Wrexham – says a team of 100 engineers is already operating on the development.

The hydrogen-powered JCB backhoe loader has been launched. Now a second JCB machine – a Loadall telescopic handler – has been revealed at a central London event attended by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the media that Great British companies like JCB are developing innovative solutions to cut greenhouse emissions and improve the UK's green industrial revolution.

It was incredible to view JCB's super-efficient hydrogen engines, which could fix UK production, support them in rapidly attaining their climate goals, and increase the UK's hydrogen economy – an interesting area that will be crucial to handling climate change, generating new jobs and drawing investment.

JCB, the world market leader for backhoe loaders and telescopic handlers – will display its hydrogen technology in the Green Zone at COP26 in Glasgow.

JCB chairman Lord Bamford told the media that their machinery would require to be powered by something other than fossil fuels. They create machines, which are powered by diesel, so they have to get a solution and they are doing something about it now.

They are investing in hydrogen as they do not see electricity being the all-around solution, especially not for their industry since it can only be used to power smaller machines.

It does imply that they would carry on building engines, but they would be super-efficient, affordable, high-tech hydrogen motors with zero carbon emissions, which can be brought to market quickly using their current supply base.

These will be their industry's first hydrogen engines, produced in Great Britain by British engineers. Hydrogen motors have the potential to support the UK reach carbon emission reduction goals sooner.

JCB has produced engines since 2004, generating them at plants in Derbyshire and Delhi, India. JCB will celebrate a significant milestone – the production of its 750,000th engine this year.

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