29 April 2025
Historic day as hydrogen diggers get green light to use UK road
JCB today hailed a monumental Government decision to change the law to give hydrogen diggers the green light to be driven on UK roads.
Lilian Greenwood MP, Minister for the Future of Roads, has signed a statutory instrument allowing hydrogen fuelled construction and agricultural machinery to use the public highway from yesterday (April 29th).
Today JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford - who instigated a £100 million project to develop a hydrogen combustion engine to power JCB’s machines - hailed the news as “historic”. Lord Bamford’s reaction came as a hydrogen powered JCB digger was driven around London’s roads to mark the momentous announcement – calling in at the Department for Transport yesterday afternoon to meet the Minister who made the legislative change happen.
Today shows once again we are on the side of British business, as we now allow hydrogen-powered diggers and tractors to be legally driven on UK roads for the first time.
Lilian Greenwood | Future of Roads Minister
"We’re supporting the UK's Plan for Change by working closely with brilliant British companies like JCB to harness the opportunities of the net zero transition, driving innovation and creating jobs to put money in the pockets of hardworking people and secure our future."