Digging deeper into Hydrogen

Hydrogen powered construction machinery is moving from concept to reality. Just look at JCB, securing the first full EU type-approval for a hydrogen combustion engine this year, marking a significant milestone for heavy equipment. However, with refuelling infrastructure still limited, the elephant in the room is whether construction sites are ready for this low-emission future. Here's a look at the role hydrogen could play in powering construction vehicles and how it compares with electrification.

Before hydrogen can be fully understood, it helps to look at where electrification has already made inroads. For example, Volvo Construction Equipment has passed the 1,000-unit mark in sales of its compact electric loaders and excavators.

These machines are a natural fit for urban projects and indoor work, where noise and emissions are under close scrutiny. This is because electric motors produce zero tailpipe emissions, noise levels are dramatically lower and maintenance requirements are reduced thanks to fewer moving parts. For small and mid-sized machines, downtime is predictable and charging can be managed overnight.

However, scaling batteries up is a different story. Larger excavators, cranes or piling rigs require enormous packs that add weight and cost, while charging infrastructure on temporary sites is still patchy. A Europe Electric Construction Equipment Market Report 2025–2030 highlighted the lack of site-ready charging facilities as a key barrier. For now, that keeps batteries firmly in the compact equipment space.

Tackling the heavy end

Hydrogen’s appeal is in its energy density and fast refuelling. While a large battery pack can take hours to charge, hydrogen tanks can be filled in minutes. For heavy plant that needs to run almost continuously, that difference is essential.

Here, there are two main technological approaches. Fuel cells generate electricity onboard to drive motors, while combustion engines adapt traditional diesel units to burn hydrogen. JCB has taken the latter route with its hydrogen backhoe loader, while Hyundai and Liebherr have explored fuel cell concepts.

In a significant development, JCB recently made history by securing a full EU type approval for its hydrogen combustion engine, a first in the construction equipment sector.

The approval certifies JCB’s H2 engine for use in non-road mobile machinery across all 27 EU member states and territories that recognise EU standards. It marks a major leap toward commercialising hydrogen-powered machines for jobsite use.

Developed over nearly four years by a team of 150 engineers and backed by a £100 million investment, JCB's hydrogen engine operates on hydrogen combustion, allowing it to retain the mechanical characteristics of conventional diesel engines while emitting zero CO₂.

Another breakthrough was made during HS2, Europe’s largest infrastructure project, where a modified Soilmec SR30 piling rig was run using hydrogen dual-fuel technology developed by ULEMCo and Skanska. In its London trial it achieved a 36 per cent reduction in traditional fuel use, proving hydrogen could power major foundation work.

Meanwhile, at Gallagher’s Hermitage Quarry in Kent, a JCB hydrogen combustion Loadall also took part in a trial backed by National Highways. The project reported carbon savings of around 205kg CO₂ per machine per week compared to diesel equivalents.

The road ahead

Despite these advancements, supplying and storing hydrogen safely is not straightforward. Although the UK government has committed to 10 GW of low-carbon hydrogen production by 2030, today’s construction sites are far from having reliable access.

The future of construction sites is therefore likely to be an outcome of a blended fleet. Battery-electric solutions will continue to power Ccmpact and mid-sized machines, where charging is manageable and emissions benefits are immediate. Meanwhile, heavy equipment, where uptime and power are critical, will turn to hydrogen as supply chains mature. Diesel will linger for a little longer as a result, but its dominance is under real pressure.

So, hydrogen is not a silver bullet, but as the HS2 and Lower Thames Crossing trials show, it is already proving itself in the field. If infrastructure and production scale follow, it could become the backbone of the next generation of heavy construction vehicles, supported by the more compact, electric machines.