Chancellor visits JCB for update on hydrogen technology

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves was given a detailed update on JCB’s £100 million investment into hydrogen engines and hydrogen-powered equipment during a recent visit to JCB’s headquarters in Rocester, Staffordshire, at the end of June. The development of the hi-tech hydrogen combustion engine is being undertaken by a team of more than 100 engineers at JCB Power Systems in Foston, Derbyshire.

The MP for Leeds West had previously toured the Foston engine plant in September 2022. As part of that visit, she watched a demonstration of a prototype digger powered by a hydrogen combustion engine and also tried her hand at the quick and simple task of refuelling the machine with hydrogen.

During yesterday’s visit, JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford showed the Chancellor how much progress had been made in hydrogen refuelling technology, with the Chancellor trying her hand at refuelling a pre-production hydrogen backhoe loader, this time from a towable mobile hydrogen refueller.

Zero-emission machinery
The Chancellor said: “It was fantastic to see JCB’s zero-emission machinery in Staffordshire. JCB is making quick progress in ensuring hydrogen plays a vital role in decarbonising the construction industry, delivering the jobs of the future and supporting this Government’s primary mission of growing the economy to put more money in people’s pockets.”

Lord Bamford added: “It was a pleasure to show the Chancellor the great progress that British engineers are making in hydrogen engine technology and the associated refuelling technology. What is needed now is more investment in green hydrogen production so that JCB’s hydrogen-powered equipment can be brought to market quickly and at scale.”

The Chancellor’s visit comes just a few months after JCB secured full EU type-approval of its hydrogen engine for use in non-road mobile machinery, which 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 (EEA and EFTA territories). Full GB type-approval is also now in place.