JCB explores hydrogen engines and export growth in India

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JCB explores hydrogen engines and export growth in India

JCB explores hydrogen engines and export growth in India

Industry News
Sep 13,23

JCB aims to manufacture electrolysers, devices that split water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity, to produce hydrogen for testing their zero-emission backhoe loaders.

JCB explores hydrogen engines and export growth in India

JCB Excavators, the world's largest manufacturer of backhoe loaders and telescopic handlers, which are construction machines used for excavation and heavy lifting tasks, among other equipment, is planning to export 45% of the construction equipment machines it produces in India.

This family-owned company, led by the Bamford family, is also eager to test its recently developed hydrogen combustion engine, marking a groundbreaking achievement in the global construction equipment industry. Their target market for this innovation is India, which represents their largest market outside of Europe.

Furthermore, JCB aims to manufacture electrolysers, devices that split water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity, to produce hydrogen for testing their zero-emission backhoe loaders. Initially, production of these electrolysers will begin at their UK facility within the next 18 months, followed by production in India.

Lord Bamford, Chairman of JCB, emphasised their substantial investments in India and their commitment to replicating their innovations in the country. He stated, "If we make the hydrogen engines here commercially, we will be making them in India as well." Lord Bamford also highlighted India's urgent need to find solutions due to its heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Globally, various companies, including India's Reliance Industries and Adani Enterprises, have been actively researching green hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels. However, mass-scale production and distribution of this fuel are still a few years away.

In the previous year, JCB announced a £100 million investment in a greenfield facility in Vadodara, Gujarat, to consolidate manufacturing and fabrication of parts for their global factories. JCB's team of 150 engineers has been diligently working on the hydrogen combustion engine since 2019, with a significant investment of £100 million. These hydrogen engines are already powering prototype backhoe loaders and telescopic handlers.

Tim Burnhope, Chief Innovation and Growth Officer at JCB, emphasised that hydrogen combustion engines have emerged as the most suitable solution among the various green technologies they have explored. He noted that hydrogen's unique combustion properties allow the engine to deliver the same power, torque, and efficiency as traditional engines but in a zero-carbon manner.

Lord Bamford expressed his belief that India, as a nation heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels, could become a leader in hydrogen solutions. He emphasised the unreliability of fuel imports from countries like Russia and Iran, making hydrogen an appealing alternative.

Deepak Shetty, CEO and Managing Director of JCB India, echoed this sentiment, calling hydrogen combustion engines an exciting prospect for India. He emphasised the mobility of hydrogen as a fuel, making it well-suited for the Indian market. Shetty also highlighted the alignment of JCB's efforts with India's National Hydrogen Mission, which offers significant opportunities for zero-CO2 fuel in construction machinery.

In 2022, JCB achieved record-breaking results in India, and they anticipate another record year in terms of revenue and profitability for 2023. Their strong domestic market, driven by road and infrastructure projects, as well as increasing exports, particularly to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, America, and other regions, will be key drivers of this growth. JCB already exports to over 110 countries from its Indian facilities.

According to the Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association (ICEMA), India sold a total of 69,400 units in 2022, with expectations of surpassing 80,000 units in sales by the end of the current calendar year, marking a multi-year high.

Source: Indiatimes