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The JCB retrofit project cut emissions from the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van by replacing its diesel engine with a hydrogen engine. Designed to prove the potentially wide appeal of hydrogen combustion, the conversion was completed in just two weeks.
The van now uses the same internal combustion engine that powers prototype construction and agricultural machines. Developed by engineers at JCB Power Systems in Derbyshire, the engine reportedly uses readily available components. It combusts hydrogen and delivers power in “exactly the same way as a diesel engine”, according to the company.
One of the vehicle’s first test drivers was JCB chairman Lord Bamford. “We have retrofitted this vehicle with a JCB hydrogen engine to demonstrate how simple it will be to convert existing vans, and to show that it is not only construction and agricultural machines that can be powered by hydrogen. While converting vans will not be for JCB to do, it does prove there is something else other than batteries that can work very effectively,” said Bamford.
The vehicle was unveiled yesterday (28 August), one day before the expansion of the London Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). The zone, which now covers all London boroughs, is designed to improve air quality by encouraging uptake of newer vehicles with lower emissions. The rules include standards for vans and other commercial vehicles.
“The switch to hydrogen is another breakthrough which underlines that this form of power could represent a much quicker way to reach global carbon dioxide emissions targets,” the JCB announcement said.
The Sprinter hydrogen refit follows an earlier JCB conversion of a 7.5 tonne Mercedes-Benz truck.
JCB has manufactured more than 70 hydrogen internal combustion engines in a project involving 150 British engineers, powering prototype backhoe loaders and Loadall telescopic handler machines.
The company has also previously unveiled a mobile hydrogen refueller, designed to refuel machines on site.
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