JCB has secured full EU type approval for its hydrogen engine for use in non-road mobile machinery, a significant milestone for the company’s hydrogen technology development program.
The approval means that JCB’s hydrogen engine has been approved for sale and use in machines and third-party OEM equipment in EU member states and all other territories recognizing EU type approvals.
GB approval (for manufacturers wishing to place vehicles and components on the market in Great Britain) was granted rapidly, initially for the new technology and now as full type approval. The EU type approval certificate has been issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 and certifies JCB’s hydrogen combustion engine to prevailing EU Stage V emissions norms.
JCB chairman Anthony Bamford, who has led the company’s hydrogen engine project, said, “This is another very significant moment for JCB’s hydrogen program, It was not so long ago that some said that it was game over for the internal combustion engine in Europe.
“I could not be more delighted for the JCB team that put so much work into getting us to this stage. Now our focus will be on bringing our hydrogen technology to market. JCB’s customers are patiently waiting for our hydrogen-powered equipment to make a difference on their job sites. They won’t have much longer to wait.”
Real-world testing
A team of 150 engineers has been working on the £100m (US$135m) development for nearly four years. JCB has already produced more than 130 evaluation engines, which are powering backhoe loaders, Loadall telescopic handlers and generator sets. The company says that real-world pre-launch testing of its hydrogen equipment is now at an advanced stage and progressing well.
In related news, Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled the upgraded Xcient fuel cell class-8 heavy-duty truck, which features advanced hydrogen technologies and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) tailored for the North American market. Click here to read the full story.