As the construction and roadwork industries face mounting pressure to reduce emissions without compromising productivity, the search for a viable alternative to diesel has taken center stage.
Battery-electric equipment has made promising inroads — especially in compact machines and urban environments — but current charging infrastructure and high energy demands can make it less practical for larger, heavy-duty applications. Biodiesel offers a cleaner burn but doesn’t eliminate tailpipe emissions and faces supply and scaling challenges.
Enter hydrogen.
Already powering pilot fleets of backhoes and telehandlers in Europe, hydrogen combustion engines represent a zero-carbon solution that delivers the power, refueling speed, and durability contractors have come to expect from diesel. Some of the world’s leading equipment manufacturers are investing heavily in this emerging technology, and certification is underway to bring hydrogen engines into broader commercial use — including in North America.
While the technology is still in its early stages in the U.S., hydrogen has the potential to meet the construction sector’s unique energy demands. In the sections ahead, we’ll explore how hydrogen engines work, where they shine, what operators can expect, and what challenges still need to be addressed as the industry moves toward a lower-carbon future.
| Your local Wirtgen America dealer |
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| Kirby Smith Machinery |
| Nueces Power Equipment |
Hydrogen combustion engines closely mirror traditional diesel engines in operation, making the transition to low-carbon technology smoother for operators and maintenance teams. Instead of diesel, these engines use hydrogen gas injected into the intake air, typically through port fuel injection, and ignited with a spark plug to initiate combustion. As the hydrogen-air mixture burns, it drives the pistons, creating mechanical energy that powers the crankshaft, just like in a diesel or gasoline engine.
What sets hydrogen apart is that its only byproduct is clean steam, eliminating carbon dioxide emissions and significantly reducing nitrogen oxides compared to traditional fuels. Importantly, the fundamental components — pistons, crankshafts, camshafts, and valves — remain largely the same, allowing hydrogen engines to retain the immediate torque, robust horsepower, and direct mechanical driveline integration familiar to diesel users.
For example, a hydrogen-powered telehandler on a large commercial construction site would operate just like its diesel counterpart — lifting heavy pallets of bricks or moving loads of steel beams — with no loss of torque or lifting capacity.
Similarly, a hydrogen-powered excavator tasked with digging utility trenches along a major highway project would likely deliver the same breakout force and hydraulic responsiveness that operators rely on today. Operators would use the same controls, experience similar throttle response, and conduct routine maintenance checks just as they always have.
| Your local Cementech dealer |
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| Romco Equipment Co |
| Sierra Machinery |
This direct mechanical approach bypasses the need for battery packs or fuel cell systems that require new service models. Existing maintenance routines — such as oil changes, filter replacements, and mechanical diagnostics — translate easily to hydrogen equipment, minimizing retraining needs and downtime. Fleet managers benefit as well, since integrating hydrogen machines into existing operations doesn't require an overhaul of parts inventory or service infrastructure.
By leveraging established engine technologies, hydrogen engines sidestep some of the challenges faced by other green alternatives.
One of the most compelling arguments for hydrogen is its performance. Early trials in Europe have shown that hydrogen-powered backhoes and telehandlers can match or even exceed the performance of their diesel counterparts — with some manufacturers seeing as much as 40 percent more efficiency at the optimal performance point during heavy loads. Even better, operators report no noticeable difference in power, responsiveness, or handling.
Hydrogen engines are also well suited for high-duty applications. Backhoe loader and telescopic handler prototypes with hydrogen engines have been placed in customer trials, operating across demanding job site conditions such as heavy excavation, lifting, and multishift workloads. These machines demonstrated consistent power output and endurance without requiring significant downtime, reinforcing hydrogen’s ability to support long shifts and intense workloads common on North American job sites.
| Your local Yanmar dealer |
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| CLM Equipment Co |
| WPI |
As a zero-carbon fuel, hydrogen does not emit carbon dioxide at the tailpipe — unlike biodiesel, which, despite offering carbon reductions during production, still produces carbon dioxide during operation, similar to fossil diesel.
Hydrogen engines also contribute to improved air quality. Independent testing has demonstrated that these engines can meet stringent emissions standards, including European Stage V levels, without requiring conventional aftertreatment systems. In some cases, nitrogen oxide emissions were measured up to 80 percent below regulatory limits, helping lower onsite air pollution significantly, particularly in dense or enclosed construction environments.
One of hydrogen's greatest strengths is how familiar it feels. From the operator's perspective, a hydrogen-powered machine behaves almost identically to a diesel unit. Startup, throttle response, noise levels, and refueling processes all mirror the conventional experience.
In addition, with hydrogen engines sharing many components with diesel engines, technicians can apply existing skills and tools. Hydrogen engines also operate effectively across temperature extremes and altitudes, which can affect battery and fuel cell efficiency in electric systems.
| Your local Finn Corporation dealer |
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| Romco Equipment Co |
Fueling with hydrogen is equally straightforward. Stored in high-pressure tanks — typically at 350 bar — hydrogen can be refueled in just a few minutes, closely matching the convenience of diesel refueling. Mobile refueling solutions are already being tested, as well.
Despite this familiar feel, there will be new safety and training initiatives. Handling high-pressure hydrogen necessitates updated safety standards and training programs to ensure smooth and secure integration at job sites.
Hydrogen is stored at very high pressures and behaves differently than traditional fuels. It disperses quickly if leaked and requires specific handling protocols due to its wide flammability range and low ignition energy. Operators and technicians will need specialized training on safe refueling procedures, leak detection, and emergency response to fully realize hydrogen’s benefits while maintaining job site safety.
While the promise of hydrogen is strong, several challenges must be overcome for widespread adoption. Infrastructure development remains one of the largest hurdles, as hydrogen production, transport, and refueling networks are still in early stages.
| Your local Sennebogen LLC dealer |
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| ASCO Equipment |
| WPI |
Production sustainability is another consideration. Although "green hydrogen" produced from renewable energy is the goal, most hydrogen currently available is "gray" or "blue," derived from fossil fuels. Moving toward a cleaner supply chain will be essential for maximizing hydrogen's environmental benefits.
Along these same lines, fuel supply consistency will be crucial. Without a reliable, widely available hydrogen supply chain, operational downtime could undermine the technology’s advantages.
However, major investments are already underway to support broad usage across North America. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Shot initiative aims to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen to $1 per kilogram by 2031, a milestone that would make it competitive with diesel. Meanwhile, manufacturers are actively developing machines and refueling solutions tailored to North American job site needs.
As with any emerging technology, cost remains a consideration for early adopters. Battery-electric machines can come with a price increase, largely due to their specialized systems and components. Hydrogen-powered machines, by contrast, share much of their architecture and parts with traditional engines, helping to contain overall costs.
| Your local JCB North America dealer |
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| BOSS JCB |
| South Star JCB/Meinecke |
| Monk JCB |
| ASCO Equipment |
The primary drivers of the current price premium are the hydrogen storage tanks, which are still produced in relatively low volumes. As adoption grows and production scales up, these costs are expected to decrease rapidly, making hydrogen equipment increasingly competitive with diesel.
Momentum is building. Certification has been secured in several European countries, and North American regulators are expected to follow suit. Early adoption will likely focus on regions with renewable energy infrastructure, forward-thinking contractors, and government incentives.
Hydrogen is not a distant concept — it's already working in the field, powering machines and proving itself as a viable path to zero emissions. With its ability to deliver diesel-like performance, zero carbon output, and job site practicality, hydrogen offers a complete, sustainable solution for heavy equipment.
Sam Wagstaff is General Manager of Product Marketing at JCB North America.
