JCB develops world’s first mobile hydrogen refueller for construction equipment

JCB has designed the world’s first mobile site hydrogen refueller for its next-generation hydrogen-powered backhoe loaders and telehandlers.

The plant manufacturer has designed the truck to refuel its prototype machines in the same way that fuel bowsers are used for diesel-powered equipment. It says around 97 per cent of construction machines have fuel delivered to them while working on site. This means, it says, customers are already used to a transportable fuel, allowing refuelling to take place in a matter of minutes.

JCB is running a £100m development programme to produce super-efficient hydrogen engines for construction equipment.

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

“Well today 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.

“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.”