Construction Industry News
JCB's £100 million project to produce super-efficient hydrogen engines made its debut in India in the presence of Minister for Highways and Road Transport Nitin Gadkari.
At his first public exhibition in the world, the minister unveiled a JCB backhoe loader powered by a specially designed hydrogen combustion engine. This industry-leading development, developed by JCB in response to the urgent need to meet carbon emission reduction targets, is an important milestone on the path to decarbonisation of India's construction sector.
JCB India Managing Director and CEO Deepak Shetty said: “It is very fitting that this JCB 3DX backhoe loader, powered by a hydrogen combustion engine, is being launched in India just as COP28, the United Nations Conference on Climate Change begins in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. As the world assesses collective progress towards achieving climate goals, JCB is showing the world that it already has a practical and affordable technology to decarbonize construction, here in India and around the world. We are proud that India is the first country in the world to showcase this prototype backhoe loader to the public. India is making concerted efforts to make hydrogen our carbon-free fuel of the future; The National Hydrogen Mission creates the conditions for a hydrogen ecosystem, which is essential to the success of this advanced hydrogen combustion technology. JCB India is proud to have led the way in introducing this technology in construction equipment in India. “This has been made possible by the vision of JCB Chairman Lord Bamford, who has been the driving force behind the development of hydrogen-powered machines.”
A team of 150 JCB engineers are working on the pioneering initiative to develop hydrogen combustion engines and more than 75 prototypes have already been built at JCB's UK engine plant.
JCB hydrogen engine prototypes are already powering backhoe loaders and telehandlers. Additionally, JCB UK has also introduced its own mobile refueling tank designed and built to supply fuel to the machines.
JCB's ongoing commitment to reducing fuel consumption means its diesel-powered machines today use an average of 50% less fuel than those produced more than a decade ago. This has saved 16 billion liters of fuel, equivalent to 53 million tons of CO2.
JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said: “India has a real opportunity to put hydrogen at the heart of its net-neutral future – it is a clean, carbon-free fuel that can be produced from renewable energy. India has solar and water resources, the two main elements required for hydrogen production. It is a fuel that allows rapid refueling and is a mobile fuel solution that allows fuel to be brought to the machine. Our machines work long hours, especially in India, so minimizing downtime for charging or refueling is essential. This makes hydrogen a perfect solution for India, especially for the earthmoving sector.”
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