BUILDING A GREENER FUTURE

It was always our intention to build our own diesel engines and that dream became a reality in 2004. From then on, it was all about continuous improvement and making our engines as fuel-efficient as possible, while reducing harmful emissions.

But we are always looking for better ways and we led the way with the world’s first fully-electric mini excavator with zero emissions. We soon became leaders in electric innovation and developed a complete range of 100% electric machines across smaller products.

It didn’t stop there. While battery-electric power works for compact machines, it is not practical for bigger models. That’s why we turned to hydrogen as an alternative, clean, zero carbon fuel and developed the industry’s first hydrogen engine. And now, our backhoe loader, fitted with the award-winning hydrogen engine, can do everything its diesel-powered equivalent can do, but without the carbon.

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2011
EcoMAX engine Tier 4 Interim

Our road to zero begins

The JCB ECOMAX engine was launched and fitted into our backhoe loaders, delivering significant fuel savings. It was the beginning of our Road to Zero.
2011
Telescopic handler 111219

Diesel engine of the year

The JCB ECOMAX engine used innovative clean-burn technology that did not produce high levels of emissions. This means it didn't require a diesel particulate filter or extensive after-treatment systems to clean up exhaust gases, saving customers money.
2013
Tier 4 Final JCB engine

Tier 4 Engine

Launch of a new and improved Tier 4 engine to meet next generation engine legislation whilst reducing emissions.
2016
BHL Roading

Two Queen's Awards

The efficient JCB ECOMAX engine keeps winning. This time it's two Queen's Awards, for Innovation and International Trade.
2017
Engine

The 430 DIESELMAX ENGINE

A brand new 3 litre DIESELMAX engine was launched in this year. It used up to 8% less fuel than the 4.4 litre JCB engine, which was already very efficient.
2017
S2646E Electric Scissor 3:2

Reaching new heights

The next step on our Road to Zero saw the launch of our first electric products - a range of 8 electric scissor lifts.
2018
MINI ETECH 19C-1E (3x2)

Another industry first

JCB developed and launched the industry's first ever electric mini digger in response to customer demands for a zero emissions machine that could work indoors and in noise sensitive, urban areas.
2018
MINI ETECH 19C-1E (3x2)

"There is a new emerging zero emissions sector and it's emerging very quickly.

It's the reason we put ourselves at the forefront of alternative power technologies and developed the first ever electric JCB digger." - JCB Chairman, Lord Bamford
2019
Hydrogen Branding

First ever hydrogen excavator

Project teams were created and engineers brought together to start focusing on developing the first hydrogen fuel cell excavator.
2019
Hydrogen powered excavator

"Our sort of machinery will need to be powered by something other than fossil fuels.

We make machines that are powered by diesel, so we have to find a solution and we are doing something about it now." - JCB Chairman, Lord Bamford.
2019
5CX stage V application image

Stage V diesel engine

We led the way on clean diesel technology, almost eradicating the most harmful emissions from our latest range of engines. NOx has been reduced by 97%, soot particulates by 98% and through our extensive efficiency drive, CO2 emissions have been cut by nearly half.
2019
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ELECTRIC HONOURS

After just one year since launching, our electric mini excavator, the 19C-1E was honoured with an award recognised as one of the most prestigious in British engineering; The Dewar Trophy for 'Outstanding Technical Achievement in the British Automotive Industry' from the Royal Automobile Club.
2020
Electric wins award

Electric innovation award

Our electric mini excavator won a second award for engineering innovation - The 2020 MacRobert Award for innovation from the Royal Academy of Engineering. This prestigious award has been presented since 1969 to honour a wide variety of engineering feats, including the CT scanner and Rolls-Royce's Pegasus engine used in the Harrier Jump Jet. To date, hundreds of machines have been sold, saving the equivalent of 15 tonnes of in CO₂ emissions.
2020
DO NOT USE

With fuel cells, bigger is better

Learning from our first prototype hydrogen fuel cell excavator, we developed Prototype 2 - with a bigger fuel cell and better batteries designed for managing the high transient loads of a 20-tonne excavator.
2020
DO NOT USE

"The development of the first hydrogen fuelled excavator is very exciting as we strive towards a zero carbon world."

- JCB Chairman, Lord Bamford.
2020
Lord Bamford Image

Chairman's Challenge

Having developed two prototype hydrogen fuel cell excavators, the team realised that the technology was too complicated and too expensive for construction and agricultural equipment markets. JCB Chairman Lord Bamford challenged the engineering team to think differently and develop a combustion engine for a digger that runs entirely on hydrogen.
2020
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The Electric Dumpster

The next electric innovation was an electric version of our popular HTD-5 Diesel Dumpster. The addition of an electric drive makes it suitable for urban and indoor applications.
2020
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Expanding ETECH range

Our electric E-TECH range of zero emission machines continued to grow with the launch of our first ever electric Loadall.
2020
1TE 1 Tonne Electric dumper application image

Electric Site Dumper

Our first ever electric site dumper is launched. A one tonne, high-tip model powered by lithium-ion battery technology. Productivity and performance are identical to the conventional diesel model.
2020
Powerpack sandon hall

Charging ahead

Our electric range continues to expand and increase customer versatility, with the addition of a rapid universal charger and battery power packs.
2020
Hydrogen Motor

Testing of the hydrogen engine begins

On a cold December morning, JCB's first ever hydrogen combustion engine ran for the first time. The high-performance, purpose-engineered zero-CO₂ hydrogen engine then started its testing regime in our engine test cells.
2021
Jerermy Clarkson & Lord Bamford Hydrogen Backhoe Quarry

First hydrogen machine debut

Our hydrogen engine made its debut in one of our world-famous backhoe loaders, sporting a new green and white livery. The event was attended by the press and some celebrities, including Jeremy Clarkson.
2021
JT21-070

Reaching for more awards

Our innovative electric products just kept on winning accolades. This time it was for the JCB Teletruk. The 30-19E machine won The Environment Award from the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA), Europe's leading trade body for the materials handling industry.
2021
Lord Bamford with hydrogen LDL

HYDROGEN LOADALL DEBUT

A hydrogen-powered telescopic handler was shown for the first time ever at a central London event in October 2021.
2021
QEII Event Hydrogen Backhoe Lord Bamford and Boris Johnson

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE

JCB showcased their hydrogen-powered machines for the first time at the heart of government in Westminster.
2021
Engine of the year website banner

Engine of the year

At the Diesel Progress Summit, our 430 DIESELMAX engine won the Engine of the Year Award, for engines up to 175hp.
2021
Lord Bamford with hydrogen LDL

JCB AT COP 26

The world's first hydrogen-powered backhoe loader and telescopic handler were displayed in the Green Zone at COP26 in Glasgow.
2021
Cop26 Hydrogen Backhoe & Loadall

JCB at COP 26

The world's first hydrogen-powered backhoe loader and telescopic handler were displayed in the Green Zone at COP26 in Glasgow.
2021
Lord Bamford Hydrogen Engine Award

Hydrogen is a winner

JCB won one of the oldest and most prestigious awards in British automotive engineering, as Lord Bamford is presented with the Royal Automotive Club's Dewar Trophy for the development of our hydrogen fuel engine.
2022
NSPCC Platinum Jubilee Apprentice 525-60E Project

Apprentice power

A team of 36 apprentices combined their engineering skills to build a unique 525-60E electric telehandler. The specially wrapped JCB Loadall was auctioned off in aid of the company's Platinum Jubilee NSPCC appeal.
2022
Hydrogen Backhoe Jubilee Pageant 2022 News

Hydrogen goes platinum

The world's first hydrogen-powered Backhoe Loader joined JCB machines of the past and present to take centre stage at Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Pageant in London.
2022
JCB Hydrogen Refueller

Delivering the future

JCB announced another industry first - a mobile hydrogen refueller, providing a quick and easy way to refuel machines on site.
2022
1000th Electric Mini News 19C-1E

1,000th electric mini excavator

Our double-award winning electric mini excavator marked another significant milestone in its short history with the production of the 1,000th machine. The world's first volume-produced all-electric mini excavator only went into full production in 2019.
2023
HYDROGEN ENGINE - EMBARGOED

Fuelling the future through innovation

The 50th JCB hydrogen combustion engine came off the production line as part of the development process.
2023
Hydrogen Department for Transport

Hydrogen powered backhoe hits the road

The UK government has given JCB special dispensation, which allows us to test and use our world-first hydrogen-powered backhoe loader on UK roads. The world's first digger, powered by a hydrogen combustion engine, will soon be on UK roads and building sites, helping to decarbonise the UK's construction industry and create hundreds of jobs.
2023
Hydrogen Truck

Hydrogen technology now in trucks

We have made a major breakthrough in proving wider appeal of hydrogen combustion technology by installing one of our hydrogen engines into a 7.5 tonne Mercedes truck. The installation only took days with one of the first test drivers being JCB Chairman, Lord Bamford.
2023
Conexpo Hydrogen, Electric Diesel News

Hydrogen world first makes International debut

Our £100 million project to produce super-efficient hydrogen engines has been given its international debut with its unveiling at one of the world's biggest construction equipment exhibitions - Conexpo 2023 in Las Vegas. "I'm delighted we are now able to present this technology on the international stage" said JCB Chairman, Lord Bamford.
2023
Three Phase PowerPack

New three-phase powerpacks

Our electric Powerpack range has increased to five with the addition of three larger models, delivering a 400V, three-phase output. JCB battery powerpacks allow customers to reduce their dependence on diesel-powered generators when electrical demand is low, reducing fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, for a cleaner, lower carbon worksite.
2023
A45E and A45EH photography assets

Electric and hybrid drive articulated booms

We are introducing two articulated boom aerial work platforms to our range, with a choice of full battery electric and diesel/electric hybrid drivelines. The A45E is fully electric, offering zero emissions with zero compromise on performance. The A45EH is a diesel/electric hybrid version, ideal for working in more remote locations where an external power supply is not readily available.
2023
403E wheel loader

First electric loader launched

We are expanding our full electric equipment line-up with the launch of the compact 403E. Our first full electric wheel loader delivers best-in-class performance and full working day use. The machine boasts the largest standard battery pack in its class, with productivity matching our popular 403 diesel model.