JCB, developer of the world’s first working construction machines powered by hydrogen, unveiled another world first for the industry—a mobile hydrogen refueler.
JCB is investing $116 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.
This week the company announced another industry first—a mobile hydrogen refueler, providing a quick-and-easy way for customers to refuel their machines on site. A team of 100 engineers is working on the project.
Around 97 per cent of construction machines have fuel delivered to them while working on site. This means customers are already used to a transportable fuel, allowing refueling to take place in a matter of minutes.
JCB chairman Lord Bamford is leading JCB’s hydrogen project, said that many people have asked how the company’s hydrogen equipment 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,” Bamford said.
He continued, “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.”
JCB has manufactured engines since 2004, producing them at plants in Derbyshire and in Delhi, India. Last year JCB celebrated a major milestone with the production of its 750,000th engine.
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