Eleven authorities across Europe have given licensing and approval for JCB’s hydrogen combustion engine (HCE), currently in development, to be used in commercial machines
The Netherlands’ Vehicle Authority RDW was the first licensing authority to issue official certification for the hydrogen combustion engine, with licensing bodies in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, Poland, Finland, Switzerland and Lichtenstein following. Other countries are expected to follow later this year.
The engine is the result of three years of dedicated development
JCB first debuted the prototype hydrogen combustion engine in January 2023, before making an international debut in March of the same year.
Around $122m USD has been invested in the project, which has involved 150 engineers.
Purchase dates for hydrogen combustion engines have not yet been released.
A positive step for hydrogen combustion technology
JCB chairman Lord Anthony Bamford previously commented on the team’s efforts, saying “The JCB engineering team has done a fantastic job to develop a brand-new hydrogen engine. They have gone back to first principles to completely re-design the combustion process to work for hydrogen.
“In doing so they have achieved two major things: secured JCB’s place in history as the first construction equipment company to develop a fully working combustion engine fuelled by hydrogen and steered us towards the production of a landmark 50 hydrogen combustion engines.”
Upon the news that the hydrogen combustion engine had achieved approval in multiple European countries, Bamford added: “This is a very significant moment for JCB. To start the New Year with certification in place in so many European countries bodes very well for the future of hydrogen combustion technology.
“This formal type approval/certification paves the way for the sale and use of hydrogen engines right across the UK and Europe.”
JCB’s range of hydrogen machinery includes backhoe loaders, excavators and a mobile hydrogen bowser for refuelling other machinery.
