British equipment maker JCB has confirmed to Forkliftaction News its world-first hydrogen combustion engine is being trialled in real-world conditions in a variety of equipment including its Loadall telescopic handler range.

The confirmation follows news JCB has cleared “significant hurdles” in the development of the hydrogen combustion engine, to secure “landmark rulings from licensing authorities allowing it to be used commercially in machines”.

JCB says it is the first equipment company to develop a fully working combustion engine fuelled by hydrogen, after three years of work by a team of 150 engineers and an investment of £100 million (USD122.15 million).

JCB says the Netherlands’ Vehicle Authority RDW was the first licensing authority to issue official certification, giving permission for the engine to be sold in The Netherlands.

Eleven licensing authorities across Europe have now given permission for JCB to sell the hydrogen engines including Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, Poland, Finland, Switzerland and Leichtenstein. Licensing authorities in other countries are set to follow with certification during 2025, according to JCB.

JCB chairman Anthony Bamford, who has led the company’s hydrogen engine project, says this is a very significant development.

“To start the new year with certification in place in so many European countries bodes very well for the future of hydrogen combustion technology,” Bamford adds. “JCB has proved in recent years that it is a proper zero emissions solution for … equipment.

“This formal type approval/certification paves the way for the sale and use of hydrogen engines right across the UK and Europe. 

“I am delighted for our team of British engineers who have worked tirelessly to reach this stage.”

JCB says it has produced more than 130 evaluation engines which are powering equipment including telescopic handlers, generator sets and backhoe loaders.

Testing at customer sites is now in its advanced stages, JCB adds.