JCB unveils hydrogen refueler
JCB, developer of the world’s first working construction machines powered by hydrogen, unveils another world first for the industry—a mobile hydrogen refueler.
JCB is investing £100 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 first hydrogen-powered machine to be unveiled was a JCB backhoe loader, then a Loadall telescopic handler; JCB has now developed a hydrogen refueler for onsite fuel delivery. |
The industry-first mobile hydrogen refueler provides a quick-and-easy way for customers to refuel machines on site. Around 97 percent of construction machines have fuel delivered to them while working on site, so customers are already used to a transportable fuel, allowing refueling to take place in a matter of minutes.
“Since we became the first construction equipment company to unveil machines powered by hydrogen, many have asked how they can be refueled. Today, we have an answer with our new mobile hydrogen refueling system, which allows hydrogen to be taken from on-site tube trailers and distributed to machines by our refueler as they work on the job site. This is no different to today when diesel is taken in bowsers to refuel machines. “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, JCB chairman who is leading JCB’s hydrogen project.
A team of 100 engineers is working on the 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.
PRO CONTRACTOR RENTALS MAGAZINE
Pro Contractor Rentals provides information of value to rental centers who focus time, resources and attention on meeting the demands of construction contractors and other equipment rental customers.
