JCB’s hydrogen engine cleared for EU sale

JCB’s hydrogen engine has been approved for sale and for use in machines and third-party OEM equipment in each of the 27 EU member states. Image: JCB

This means that JCB’s hydrogen engine has been approved for sale and for use in machines and third-party OEM equipment in each of the 27 EU member states, and all other territories recognising EU type-approvals, such as European Economic Area (EEA) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) territories.

The approval certificate has been issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 and certifies JCB’s hydrogen combustion engine to prevailing EU Stage V emissions norms.

“This is another very significant moment for JCB’s hydrogen programme,” commented JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford, who has led the company’s hydrogen engine project.

“For JCB to have secured full EU type-approval is proof positive that the combustion engine does indeed have a promising future in pursuit of a net zero world if hydrogen, a zero CO2 fuel, is used instead of fossil fuels.”

The EU type-approval follows earlier rulings by licensing authorities in nine countries in mainland Europe allowing the engine to be used commercially in machines in those countries under ‘new technology’ provisions.

The OEM JCB says that real world pre-launch testing of JCB’s hydrogen equipment is now at an “advanced” stage.

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