The British machinery manufacturer JCB has reached a major milestone by becoming the first company to receive full European type-approval for a hydrogen-powered engine designed for non-road mobile machinery.
After securing initial approval in the UK, followed by nine more across continental Europe, JCB’s hydrogen combustion engine is now officially certified for sale and use in machinery and OEM (original equipment manufacturer) equipment in all 27 EU Member States. The certification is also recognised in other regions that honour EU approvals, including the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries.
The engine has been certified under Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 and meets the latest Stage V emissions standards—currently the most stringent for non-road mobile machinery in Europe.
JCB’s hydrogen engine operates on hydrogen combustion (as opposed to a fuel cell), which allows it to retain the mechanical characteristics of conventional diesel engines while emitting no CO₂. This technology is part of the company’s broader strategy to offer practical, low-carbon solutions for sectors that are hard to electrify, such as construction and agriculture.
“Not so long ago, some people were saying that the internal combustion engine was finished in Europe,” said Lord Anthony Bamford, Chairman of JCB. “The fact that JCB has now obtained full EU type-approval proves that the combustion engine still has a future—provided it’s powered by hydrogen, a fuel that emits no CO₂.”
This approval marks an important step for the decarbonisation of heavy-duty machinery and reinforces JCB’s position as a pioneer in hydrogen innovation.
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