OK folks, you want zero-emissions construction, forestry and farming machines? The future may be hydrogen, but not as you know it. I spent yesterday with Lord Bamford and his team at @JCBmachines's secret test quarry near Uttoxeter. This puppy burns hydrogen in a thermal engine!
Engineers at @JCBmachines have developed a range of battery machines, which work great if they are not in constant use and have a grid connection. For off-grid, continuous use they tried fuel cells, but found them complex and expensive. Et voila, they developed a hydrogen engine! 
I was well impressed. I'm a mech engineer with a thing for fluid dynamics and thermodynamics. The first ever IC engine ran on hydrogen in 1807, but solving all its problems (hotspots producing NOx, steam removal, reliability, etc) is hard. If @JCBmachines has done it, it's a BFD!
Of course a combustion engine will be less efficient & noisier than a fuel cell and will produce some NOx. But it's much cheaper, tolerates low-quality hydrogen, uses existing production and maintenance value chains and does not require big batteries to help with load following.
And it's not just about construction, farming and forestry - anywhere with big remote diesels. As per our report last year for IADB, once your ferry route goes over a few hundred km, there is no chance of serving it with a pure battery electric vessel. publications.iadb.org/en/opportuniti…
It doesn't really change where hydrogen might win. I've always rated specialist vehicles and marine fairly high, it makes them more likely and near-term. It's a threat to fuel cells, but doesn't really affect electricity's superiority for buses. I'll be tweaking my ladder though!
Oh, and hydrogen for island grids might get a nudge upwards. If you can use locally-produced hydrogen in a machine that doesn't freak out at the slightest impurity in fuel or coolant, and which your local mechanic can maintain, that's a win. Whether it can beat CAES, IDK.
Finally, the trip was organised by Lord Hannon for my fellow UK Board of Trade advisor @citylordmayor and me. I would like to thank him and Lord Bamford, and the fantastic team at @JCBmachines.
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