JCB has been working on hydrogen engine technology for over five years
JCB has been working on hydrogen engine technology for over five years, investing more than £100 million in the development of the JCB Hydrogen engine and JCB Hydrogen equipment. The company has extensively trialled the technology with customers in working site conditions, across power generation, Loadall telescopic handlers and in the 3CX Backhoe Loader.
Customers working with the machines reported identical power and torque characteristics to their traditional diesel machines, with no requirement for operators to change their way of working or adapt to the new technology. JCB has developed a mobile refueller in cooperation with HYKIT that enables easy, rapid filling on site when required, with none of the lengthy charging times associated with battery electric machinery.
The 3CX Hydrogen is powered by a 55 kW (75 hp) version of JCB’s hydrogen engine. The machine has three composite-wrapped hydrogen tanks, mounted on the cab roof, providing enough storge at 350 bar pressure for all-day operation. Other than the hydrogen storage tanks and fuel distribution lines, the machine will feel familiar to backhoe loader customers across the world. The hydrogen engine delivers the same power and torque as the diesel model and requires similar service and maintenance intervals, making it easy to adopt.
Hydrogen combustion engines also offer other significant benefits. By leveraging diesel engine technology and components, they do not require rare earth elements and critically, combustion technology is already well proven on construction and agricultural equipment. It is a technology which is cost effective, robust, reliable and well known throughout not just the construction and agricultural industry, but the whole world.
JCB is the world’s first construction equipment manufacturer to develop a fully approved combustion engine fuelled by hydrogen and the first to deliver that technology in a production backhoe loader. The company has built more than 150 hydrogen engines during the evaluation process, demonstrating the technology to His Majesty King Charles III during the monarch’s visit to JCB’s recent 80th birthday celebrations. Source