JCB has officially broken new ground with its hydrogen combustion engine, winning certification from licensing authorities across Europe to sell and use the technology in machinery. Eleven European countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Spain, and the Netherlands, have signed off on the engine, with more approvals expected through 2025.
This is no small feat. JCB’s hydrogen engine offers the muscle and torque of diesel engines but with zero carbon dioxide emissions a game-changer for heavy equipment. It runs on hydrogen fuel, producing powerful, diesel-like performance without the environmental baggage.
JCB invested £100 million and over 150 engineers worked for nearly four years to bring this vision to life. More than 130 prototype engines have already been field-tested in backhoe loaders, telescopic handlers, and generator sets. Real-world testing is advancing well, proving these hydrogen engines can handle the gritty demands of construction and agriculture.
JCB chairman Anthony Bamford hailed the certification as proof that hydrogen combustion has a promising place in the zero-emission future. He emphasized the practicality, noting these engines can be refueled quickly and kept working hard all day something battery alternatives struggle to match in heavy machinery applications.
Europe’s approval marks a major step toward cleaner, powerful equipment on jobsites. For operators wanting to ditch diesel without sacrificing grunt or range, JCB’s hydrogen engine gives them a real, practical choice. It’s a bold leap into a cleaner tomorrow without losing an ounce of muscle today.
