Boost for UK farmers after 'significant' change to which tractors are allowed on roads

UK farmers are set to produce their own fuel to power vehicles as hydrogen-powered tractors, which have “performance advantages” over battery electric machinery, are now allowed on the country’s roads. The change, which manufacturers say is a boost to British growers, was made on Tuesday by the Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, and gives the green light to the use of hydrogen-fuelled agricultural and engineering plant vehicles, works trucks, or Category T tractors. It comes after new regulations allowing the vehicles were set out in a consultation by the previous Conservative government in 2024.

Experts say that the statutory instrument will have “significant ramifications” for agriculture as it works to replace diesel. Manufacturers continue to create new models, such as the hydrogen-fuelled Steyr prototype tractor. In 2021, JCB became one of the first agricultural engine makers to run its conventional power plants on compressed hydrogen successfully. The company told the Express that, even though it does not yet make a farm tractor fuelled by hydrogen, using a “pioneering hydrogen combustion engine technology”, there is no reason why the firm could not develop one in the future.

The National Farming Union (NFU) suggested that, despite advantages presented by the technology, the transition away from fossil fuels will likely involve other ways of powering equipment.

The union's Deputy President, David Exwood, said: "The NFU believes that for hydrogen to be employed safely, it must pose no greater risk than other agricultural machinery fuels currently available in terms of its use, storage and distribution.

“The technical performance advantages of hydrogen over battery electric machinery could enable hydrogen fuel conversions for large tractors and combine harvesters, as well as engine options on new agricultural machinery, although this is likely to be one solution alongside battery electric power, biomethane and synthetic or HVO diesel."

JCB has emphasised that batteries are "not practical for equipment with high power demands, and for machines that work in remote locations, such as backhoe loaders and large excavators". It adds that batteries would "weigh too much, cost too much and there would not be enough time to charge them, even if on-site charging infrastructure was in place".

Estonian manufacturer of electrolyser stacks and systems for green hydrogen production, Stargate Hydrogen, states that hydrogen fuel cells “have fewer moving parts than internal combustion engines, leading to lower maintenance requirements and longer operational lifespans for machinery”.

The firm adds: “This can translate into cost savings and less downtime for essential farm equipment.”

Similarly, Pennsylvania State University in the US says that hydrogen fuel cells “efficiently convert fuel to electricity”, which can “translate to more power for farm equipment, improving their overall performance and productivity”.

Experts add: “Higher energy efficiency means that hydrogen-powered vehicles can cover more ground on a single tank, reducing downtime for refuelling.”

In addition, specialists say that hydrogen can be stored for longer periods than regular fuel, providing a reliable energy source even in remote locations.

But JCB has said that a hydrogen engine is a “like-for-like replacement for a diesel engine in a machine, delivering similar efficiency levels”.

The firm added: “What's appealing to farmers is that, unlike diesel, they can potentially produce their own hydrogen fuel on the farm using solar, wind, or gas from an anaerobic digester.”

JCB also highlighted that the legislation now permits the driving of hydrogen powered loadall telescopic handlers on roads, which are used equally in construction for lifting and loading bricks on building projects, and on UK farms for materials handling.

Jobs include lifting farm produce and loading it into/onto trailers, grabbing hay to feed animals in fields or in yard pens.

The manufacturer said: “This hydrogen-powered JCB machine exists today as an advanced prototype with a hydrogen combustion engine under the bonnet.

“Yesterday’s amendment to the road regulations means this agricultural vehicle can now be driven on UK roads, between farmyard and fields, and between fields.

“This is great news and bodes well for the future of hydrogen, as a zero CO2 fuel of the future in farming to replace diesel.”