Revealed JCBs Hydrogen powered Backhoe Loader with Lee Harper Chief Engineer Electrification

The iconic Backhoe Loader gets the Hydrogen treatment, and this time Peter Haddock gets to fill the tank as JCB takes a combustion approach to Hydrogen fuel usage. This is the third in our series of ‘JCB’s Hydrogen Journey’ from the UK team making it happen.  In this latest episode, Peter speaks to Lee Harper, who is JCB’s Chief Engineer of Electrification and my unofficially named ‘Mr Hydrogen’ In this video, Lee explains why JCB has adopted a new approach to using Hydrogen, this time with a focus on a more traditional combustion method. This model uses a tank to store not litres of fuel, but up to 8 kilograms under 350 bar of pressure. JCB has even launched a new refuelling bowser which Peter used to fill the tank through a specialist nozzle connection.

Lee: "With larger machines like the backhoe and our loadall, which we have also been able to create a Hydrogen powered version of, it really is about ensuring customers have the right amount of fuel available to complete their duty cycles onsite. "This is why we are introducing two tank options, a 6kg and an 8kg version, to ensure a full day's work, as we know battery powered solutions are not going to work for customers using these products." 

Seeing the backhoe in action, it looks just like a traditional diesel-powered model. In fact, all that has changed is the engine, after treatment, tanks and some very clear fluids. Of course, the engine oil itself is not black, as there is zero carbon produced by Hydrogen. And with this approach, maintenance is straightforward, with training engineers all over the world already used to looking after the backhoe loader. To see all the videos in our 'JCB's Hydrogen Journey' series, visit our Content With Media YouTube channel playlist at this link - https://bit.ly/3HiUOC5