BAM Construction and JCB hydrogen 540-180H Loadall
BAM Construction as been trialling the first hydrogen JCB 540-180H Loadall on the Tea Factory regeneration project in Digbeth, Birmingham
We have told you about JCB ‘s devotion to hydrogen. The 4.8-litre Ecomax was engineered to use hydrogen, starting with the injection system. Zero emissions, on-site storage, without the complications of fuel cells.
JCB ‘s telehandler at work with hydrogen
BAM Construction, a British leading contractor, has praised the straightforward refuelling process of JCB’s hydrogen-powered Loadall telescopic handler after testing it on a major regeneration project in the Midlands. The company has been trialling the first JCB 540-180H Loadall at the Tea Factory regeneration site in Digbeth, Birmingham. So, finally, here we are. JCB’s hydrogen technology, applied to the internal combustion engine, has taken its first steps outside the quarry where engineering usually carries out tests. Equipped with a hydrogen combustion engine developed by JCB at its Derbyshire facility, the machine delivers a zero-carbon emission driveline while maintaining the same power and torque characteristics as the conventional diesel-powered model.
First comments from the players involved
“We’ve noticed no difference in the way the machine operates. We have to refuel the machine in a different way, but it’s a simple and straightforward process,” stated Colin Evison, BAM’s Innovation Technical Lead.
Maggie Hall, BAM’s Environmental Sustainability Manager, added: “Sustainability is one of our firm’s core values and we have set ambitious net zero targets. One of those targets is to halve our Scope 3 emissions, compared to our 2019 levels. Scope 3 emissions are the ones that we can influence, but we can’t directly control. A significant part of our Scope 3 emissions is associated with our supply chain, so it’s crucial that we work with the supply chain to reduce emissions.”
JCB Group Director – Special Projects Tim Burnhope added: “We’ve been working for over three years to develop this fantastic hydrogen combustion engine and we’ve spent that time testing the machines on JCB sites, accumulating over 50,000 hours of testing.”
Earlier this year JCB received marketing approval for the H2 ICE from 11 European authorities.
