3CX Hydrogen

To reach net-zero targets for construction equipment, JCB need to use alternative fuels to fossil fuels. While bio-based fuels offer carbon reduction, they do not eliminate carbon emissions from the machine.  There are many benefits of hydrogen fuel that make it a viable alternative to diesel – which is why we’ve invested £100 million in the JCB hydrogen project.

Find out more of the benefits below.

A hydrogen Backhoe Loader has the same core properties as the diesel range, featuring a front Loader bucket and a rear Backhoe attachment. The difference is that this model is powered by hydrogen, a zero-carbon fuel.

Where there is increasing pressure to deliver a lower or zero-carbon solution to work sites, having a hydrogen Backhoe can help a construction firm to win tenders. 

The hydrogen Backhoe has a rear excavator arm with a maximum dig depth of 6m and maximum reach of 7.9m. The rear excavator arm can slew 180 degrees for a wide working range.

Machines are available in partnership with JCB Finance, offering a three-year operating lease and full service contract.

JCB is the first to launch a hydrogen-powered Backhoe. The machines have conducted many hours of testing, and over 25,000km of on-road validation.

The uses are much the same as a normal Backhoe. It’s a good solution for sites where there is pressure for lower or zero-carbon solutions.

JCB hydrogen engines are built on the production line in our UK engine factory in Derbyshire, where over 40,000 JCB diesel engines are assembled per year. The team is Derbyshire has been working on the design and development of the engine for over 3 years, and over 23,000hrs of testing has been completed in the on-site test cells.

Over 130 hydrogen engines have now been built, which are powering backhoe loaders, Loadall telescopic handlers and generator sets. Over 50,000 hours of testing has now been between machines and test cells, proving that JCB hydrogen engines and machines are reliable, durable, and efficient. We’ve invested £100 million in JCB Hydrogen, because we’re always looking for a better way.

The JCB hydrogen engine is a 4.8L, 55kW (74hp). The engineering team have worked hard to ensure that the performance matches, or in some cases exceeds, the performance of the current 55kW JCB diesel engine. The hydrogen engine delivers the same power, and the same torque, and consequently hydrogen combustion machines perform the same on the jobsite and feel the same to operate as their diesel counterparts.

Hydrogen consists of two tiny particles, a proton and electron all invisible to the human eye – so it’s understandable why ‘what is hydrogen made of’ is such a common question. Under ordinary conditions, it’s a loose aggregation of hydrogen molecules, which each consist of just two atoms – and takes the form of a colourless, non-toxic and highly combustible gas. These facts about hydrogen that make it ideal as a sustainable source of fuel for our hydrogen combustion engine, hydrogen generator and hydrogen machines. It’s super-efficient, highly abundant and produces no carbon as part of the combustion process – so represents the fastest way to meet the UK’s zero-emissions targets.