Plan to drive adoption of hydrogen farming and construction vehicles

Plans to encourage fleets to use tractors, diggers and forklifts powered by hydrogen have been published by the Government.

New regulations, set out in a new Department for Transport (DfT) consultation, would allow hydrogen-powered tractors, diggers and forklifts to be used on roads in Great Britain.

Technology and decarbonisation Minister, Anthony Browne, says that allowing the hydrogen-powered vehicles use the country’s roads is a “common-sense” move to help reduce emissions.

“These proposals are an important part of our plan to decarbonise transport in the UK, with skilled jobs in British companies helping roll out this cutting-edge hydrogen technology, making it more affordable and commonplace,” he added.

Hydrogen-powered construction and farming vehicles can improve the sustainability of the sector by reducing emissions from the tailpipe.

The launch of the consultation comes after the Government issued construction equipment manufacturer JCB with a vehicle special order last year, giving the company permission to test its hydrogen-powered diggers on UK roads. 

The new proposals, says the DfT, will expand this permission permanently across the sector, meaning manufacturers can more easily scale up production of sustainable equipment where battery electric power is not practical.

The Government says that alongside electric, hydrogen is one of many sustainable fuel sources that could accelerate decarbonisation.

The consultation will run for four weeks, closing on April 24.