A digger fit for a Queen

8 June 2022

JCB’s innovative backhoe loader powered by a hydrogen combustion engine duly made its appearance at the Platinum Jubilee Parade at the weekend in London marking the Queen’s 70-year reign.

The machine, one of five iconic models marking highlights of the Queen’s reign, was cheered loudly as it made its way along The Mall towards Buckingham Palace driven by JCB test site operator Georgina Williams. The Pageant was its first major public outing on a world stage. 

JCB chairman Lord Bamford is leading a project to develop machines powered by hydrogen. Some £100m has been invested in the initiative involving a team of 100 engineers. 

He said: “I was immensely proud to see JCB’s first hydrogen powered product take centre stage at the Platinum Jubilee Pageant to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s 70-year reign. So much has happened over the past seven decades and the jubilee has now focused minds on the need to take greater care of the environment in the future. 

“I was so pleased to share at the Pageant how we are focusing on the development of JCB machines powered by hydrogen, which will help drive us towards a zero-carbon future.”

 As previously reported on the blog, Lord Bamford challenged JCB’s engineers to develop a hydrogen combustion engine in 2020 because he believes the technology offers the quickest way to reach UK emissions reduction targets.

The company has a number of prototype machines on test powered by the fuel, including a Loadall telescopic handler.