Chancellor visits JCB Headquarters

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves MP was given a detailed update on JCB’s £100 million investment into hydrogen engines and hydrogen-powered equipment during a recent visit to JCB’s Headquarters in Rocester, Staffordshire.

The development of the hi-tech hydrogen combustion engine is being undertaken by a team of more than 100 engineers at JCB Power Systems in Foston, Derbyshire.

The Chancellor had previously toured the Foston engine plant in September 2022. As part of that visit, she watched a demonstration of a prototype digger powered by a hydrogen combustion engine and also tried her hand at the quick and simple task of refuelling the machine with hydrogen.

During yesterday’s visit, JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford showed how much progress had been made in hydrogen refuelling technology, with the Chancellor trying her hand at refuelling a pre-production hydrogen backhoe loader, this time from towable mobile hydrogen refueller.

Rachel Reeves said: “It was fantastic to see JCB’s zero emission machinery yesterday in Staffordshire. JCB are making quick progress in ensuring hydrogen plays a vital role in decarbonising the construction industry, delivering the jobs of the future and supporting this government’s primary mission of growing the economy to put more money in people’s pockets.”

Lord Bamford said: “It was a pleasure to show the Chancellor the great progress that British engineers are making in hydrogen engine technology and the associated refuelling technology. What’s needed now is more investment in green hydrogen production so that JCB’s hydrogen-powered equipment can be brought to market quickly and at scale.”

The Chancellor’s visit comes just a few months after JCB secured full EU type-approval of its hydrogen engine for use in non-road mobile machinery.