JCB has passed another significant milestone on its pioneering hydrogen technology development programme after securing the first full EU type approval of its hydrogen engine for use in non-road mobile machinery.
This means that JCB’s hydrogen engine has been approved for sale and for use in machines and third-party OEM equipment in each of the 27 EU member states and all other territories recognising EU type approvals (e.g., EEA and EFTA territories).
The EU type-approval certificate has been issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 and certifies JCB’s hydrogen combustion engine to prevailing EU Stage V emissions norms. The EU type-approval follows earlier landmark rulings by licensing authorities in nine countries in mainland Europe allowing the engine to be used commercially in machines in those countries under ‘new technology’ provisions.
JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford, who has led the company’s hydrogen engine project, said, “This is another very significant moment for JCB’s hydrogen programme. It was not so long ago that some said that it was ‘game over’ for the internal combustion engine in Europe. For JCB to have secured full EU type approval is proof positive that the combustion engine does indeed have a promising future in pursuit of a net zero world if hydrogen, a zero CO₂ fuel, is used instead of fossil fuels.”
Lord Bamford added: “I could not be more delighted for the JCB team that put so much work into getting us to this stage. Now our focus will be on bringing our hydrogen technology to market. JCB’s customers are patiently waiting for our hydrogen-powered equipment to make a difference on their job sites. They won’t have much longer to wait.”
GB approval was granted rapidly, initially for the ‘new technology’, and now as full type approval.
JCB is the first construction equipment company to develop a fully approved combustion engine fuelled by hydrogen, and a team of 150 engineers has been working on the £100 million development for nearly four years.
JCB has already produced more than 130 evaluation engines which are powering backhoe loaders, Loadall telescopic handlers and generator sets. Real-world pre-launch testing of JCB’s hydrogen equipment is now at an advanced stage and progressing well.
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