JCB takes huge strides in hydrogen combustion engines under the manufacturer’s R & D wing
Heavy machine manufacturers across the globe are competing intensely to arrive at the next technological breakthrough that will hand them competitive advantage and place them at the very top of the industry. Whilst most OEMs focus on electric powered excavators (especially within the mini/ compact excavator categories), UK based JCB is diligently pursuing a different avenue through the manufacturer’s product development faction – hydrogen engines.
Thus far JCB has invested close to AUD$200 million in hard cash into hydrogen engines lead by one hundred and fifty (150) engineers within the last two years. The manufacturer announced this summer that they have arrived at a major milestone when they rolled out their 50th hydrogen engine.
JCB’s commitment towards emission reduction goes a long way back and currently even the most current diesel engines comply with EU Stage V regulations. The manufacturer has also been focused on zero carbon machines through their electric powered machines for smaller machines especially mini excavators that require lesser power compared to standard or large excavators.
These initiatives have been undertaken by the manufacturer based on the voice of the customers who want better, cleaner and more powerful machines. Even enterprises that provide construction equipment rental services that offer construction machinery such as mini excavators for hire have called for electric machines that are operational for longer hours and JCB’s answer to that was via the 19C-1E mini excavator and the 525-60E Load-all-tele-handler.
All through this while, JCB has been focused on the future with hydrogen combustion engines and these engines are currently powering prototype machines which according to industry experts have a positive outlook. According to Lord Bamford, the chairman of JCB, the engineers at JCB Derbyshire installation in the UK have already developed a working hydrogen motor with established engine technology as the components for such engines are readily available.
The fact is that when hydrogen is combusted, the power that is delivered is identical to diesel or petrol engines meaning that an excavator that is fitted with a hydrogen engine is capable of doing everything that a diesel-powered excavator is able to do.
In retrospect, the technology behind hydrogen combustion engines much less complicated and sophisticated compared to hydrogen fuel-cell technology.
Although electric power is practical for smaller machines and light work, power requirements for larger machines that manage heavy workloads are much greater and to contend with this power requirement issue, hydrogen combustion engines that emit nothing but steam from its exhaust makes them hydrogen combustion engines to all future scenarios with zero carbon emission at point of use.
The fact that hydrogen combustion engines have already been labelled as ‘the EV killer’ says a lot and according to an article published by Fleet Owner, it is expected that by 2040, there will be close to half a million hydrogen combustion engines in use as petrol and diesel internal combustion engines are slowly eased of the market in the next two to three decades.
